The practice is based on Froebelian principles. There is learning everywhere, and each area has been carefully planned and researched. Free play allows the child to choose where they learn, and most won’t realise they are learning. For example, pouring water down guttering pipes is teaching the child about gravity, mathematics, engineering principles, language development, science, art and design and weather/seasonal changes.
There are no structured sessions as research shows if you allow the child to lead the play, they will learn much better than if someone tells them what to do. There is no right or wrong way of playing, we all learn at our own pace and in our own way, childhood is not a race or a competition.
At each session continuous provision will be provided, for the children to choose or return to their favoured areas. Some areas and resources we have are digging areas with real tools, mud kitchen, open ended resources (loose parts), books, water play, blocks, nature threading, weaving, mark making, bamboo guttering, sand, seasonal nature displays, willow den, wheelbarrows and more.
Depending on the season there will be various colours, smells, leaves, buds, fallen leaves, petals, twigs, pinecones on display to play with and we want to encourage the children to care for the plants and trees that are growing in Our Wee Garden.