Helping Children Become Confident and Involved Learners

One of the learning outcomes of the Early Childhood Framework is to is that children are confident and involved learners. What does this look like? More specifically what does this sound like?

Curiosity is the hallmark of our little learners and it means at times the most confident ones are messy and loud. Early learners love to experiment and learn about cause and effect. Even babies learn that they can make things happen- they smile and you smile back! Toddlers learn that banging on a saucepan makes a great noise. 

Children love problems solving and exploring. To encourage and support your child to be a curious and active learner, find experiences that can be fun and rewarding. Ways to support little ones to grow as learners can include:

• Let them use their senses. By touching, tasting, pulling things apart children are able to explore the world around them and understand it a little bit better
• Talk to them/converse about what they are sensing in a way where you both listen to each other, ask a question and pause for a response.
•  Give your child many and varied opportunities for play – independent, uninterrupted play allows them to create, build, discover and imagine. Sensory play–i.e. touching and feeling lots of different surfaces and materials, is especially important.
• Older children will begin to take initiative as learners by asking more questions when- have patience and also turn the questions back on them- ‘what do you think will happen if…’
• The most important learning for young children happens through everyday experiences. It doesn’t require specialised classes or expensive toys. Let them explore the world around them, children are experts at finding opportunities to learn and play.

Sources:
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-02/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf