Update: Play-Based Learning

We’ve had quite a go with play-based learning in our shared space this term!  We wrote
shopping lists to make our bird suet hangers and then made the suet ourselves and tested
it out.  We’ve seen our kids create patterns out of paper and squares, as well as build
intricate cities with animals and blocks.  We also decided to set up a Creative Space and
put bins of loose parts and brought extra recycled materials from home, which was very
environmentally-friendly as well.  

Here’s few take-aways from setting up our Creative Space (view photos here):

-Children were choosing this activity area during actual playtime because they were so
interested in designing their own pieces.

-Their ideas were being bounced off each other (oral language!) and when one child would
create something, the other students would try to create something similar but with additions.

-When creating a piece together, the students would have to discuss how they were going
to put it together - as well as change or alter it.

-Our design showcase encouraged the students to display the works they had made.

The students designed bracelets, hats, dog leashes, cars, helicopters, blenders - without
any motivation or direction from a teacher.  In my classroom, the students were constantly
asking if they could create at the space and it has been an eye-opening term of what they
are capable of when they are given the space to take charge of their own learning.  For next
year, it would be interesting to experiment with more intentionally structured play-based
learning and really focus on the oral language element to improve student literacy and
speech.