Top 6 ideas on supporting the characteristics of effective learning – Playing and exploring – Part 2

 Each section of the characteristics of effective learning is then split into a further 3 areas. The playing and exploring section is all about the ways and levels of engagement children show within their environments through playing and exploring. One way children explore and cement ideas they have is through ‘playing with what they know’ All children within the foundation stage will do this as they learn and develop new concepts.  There are some very simple activities and areas that can be set up to support this characteristic of effective learning.

Activities to promote and support playing and exploring – playing with what they know

·         Puppets – These are a great way for children to take on a role, act out different experiences and represent their experiences. Sometimes this can be done as free play, other times it is nice to use these during a group activity accompanied with a story

·         Home Corner alternatives – Change the home corner and create different role play areas such as market stalls, corner shops, vets, schools, café etc all of these allow different children to play with what they know. All children have different experiences and children all have a variety of different home cultures so try to explore all of these at some point in the home corner/ role play area

·         Persona Dolls – These allow children to take on a role and express themselves through something else. These dolls have many benefits for children and really enable them to represent their experiences through play

·         Heuristic objects – These are great for allowing younger children to explore and play with what they know for example they may use a nail brush as a hair brush or a basket as a hat. This process allows children to explore what they already know such as a hat is a round bowl type shape and then through exploring further learn more characteristics of objects and what defines them.  

·         Free outdoor play  – Particularly effective where a loose parts approach is taken, many children automatically take on a role during their play and being outdoors with more space and no noise limit allows children to really explore what they know and to act out a variety of experiences such as being a superhero or a police car.

·         Story Sacs  – Simple story sacks with puppets and props along with the book are great for taking on a role and acting out experiences with others. These can be enjoyed and explored by all children within the foundation stage and are so simple to create.

For more ideas for supporting the characteristics of effective learning check out our Pinterest board here!