Play based learning

When you ask your child "what did you do at school today?" And their answer is "I played." Please know that this is what they are really telling you is ..."I learnt so many new things today and I had fun!'

Many people think that play is simply the term given to children mucking around. Play is how a child learns about risk, problem solving, consequences and getting along with others. There is so much research into the benefits of play and how it helps childrens development and mental health. 

The Real Play Coalition says "Research shows that play is vital to a child’s development, equipping them with the skills necessary to tackle humanity’s future, such as emotional intelligence, creativity and problem solving. To be a superhero is to lead; to host a teddy for tea is to organise; to build a fort is to innovate: to play is to learn."

Every Tuesday Room 24 are having a block of time to explore and play (as well as integrating it into our daily programme) This is a time to explore, try new things and learn vital skills like ... 
self-management, sharing, negotiating  and collaboration. 

Here are some things to help you understand the importance of what we do during this time.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/to-play-is-to-learn/

https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/play-learning/play-ideas/why-play-is-important?fbclid=IwAR2OThnQVNy5H9UyRbAsyAfQw-iejN_w4aUAY4j_E-6O1HDj1_NwDHBuDH4#the-importance-of-play-nav-title

http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-resources/NZC-Online-blog/Learning-through-play-What-s-it-all-about?fbclid=IwAR05H_FsCpXM4Uk2NZaNam0BzI_W0wl-K9gS2P_ebKFuwoaKce187aKVmjs

On facebook - 

Brainwave trust

Nathan Wallis

Longworth Education

The real play coalition

While we play we build super learner skills. These are based on our key competencies from of curriculum document.

Keys to super room 24 learner	Key competencies Managing self/participating and contributing
Listen	Being reflective Looking after themselves and others Being collaborative Being communicators
Persevere and never give up	Being risk takers Being reflective Being thinkers and inquirers Being able to persevere Being able to make plans and set goals
Share ideas	Being reflective Being thinkers and inquirers Being communicators Being collaborative
Focus	Being reflective Being thinkers and inquirers
Ask questions	Being reflective Being thinkers and inquirers Being communicators Being risk takers Being communicators
Practise	Being reflective Being nurtured in their personal development
Work together/collaboratively	Being collaborative Being able to persevere Being communicators Being thinkers and inquirers
Be respectful	Looking after themselves and others Being nurtured in their personal development Taking care of their things and the environment

Here is a link for ideas for parents about developing key competencies at home.

https://parents.education.govt.nz/primary-school/learning-and-development-at-home/helping-your-child-develop-key-competencies/