I starting teaching in the Kakano hub week 8 term 2. This was a very busy time to come into a new school and new environment as the other teachers were busy finishing off reports. Despite this everyone was so welcoming and willing to help me learn the ropes of things. Our Hub has approximately 100 children and 5 other teachers. My team now had only been in there new hub for 7 more weeks than me so they still, were all finding there feet and working out how things were going to work. I have learnt so much already and was grateful that I was able to give my import and ideas from my Early childhood experience.
How are the environment different?
Our hub is based around Learning Through Play with provocations set up for the children to engage in at literacy and numeracy times. At my preschool the environment was also set up around Learning Through Play with lots of different provocations set out all day for the children to pick and choose at there own leisure.
The environments them self are very similar with the same equipment and provocations to carter for the needs of the children. The structure and how the day is run is very different however. At preschool the children were able to rome from inside to outside when ever they liked and were able to choose any activities to engage in. They had rolling kai which meant if you wanted to eat you could if not keep playing, followed by a compulsory twenty minute mat time split into the younger children and the before school ready children. After than back to playing and learning followed by a sit down lunch and more play before they went home. School is much more structured with prayers in the morning followed by a carb snack. Groups with teachers for numeracy and literacy. Other children are with the coaches who are in charge of the provocations room and Learning Through play room for the new entrants. Both environments work very well they are just different to meets the needs of the children and the curriculum.
Now being in a much more structured environment where I have a plan for my day, have certain things I need to teach and get done, looking back I see that I was very bored at preschool and I wasn't challenging myself. Some people say 'preschool teachers are not real teachers'. I don't believe this at all! They are amazing teachers who are teaching our children, social skills, relationships and interpersonal skills just to name a few that are all fundamental for when children start primary school. "Preschool teachers play an important role in building a child’s success in their first years of school. Teachers do more than facilitate arts and crafts projects throughout the day. Preschool lays the foundation for kids to understand what “school” actually is. Teachers use a variety of methods to help children grow cognitively, as well as conceptually. A positive relationship with preschool teachers can make an exponential difference in a child’s success as they continue through elementary school". (Term of tomorrow)
I have been able to offer advice and experience within the Learning Through Play and provocations room. I have already set up a beach scene with sand, shells, and sticks for the children to explore with or to make letters and numbers with the shells. I have also made play dough which has been a massive hit in the mornings. I will continue to add different provocations and change it up when I can. I really enjoy changing the environment and offering the children new things to ensure they don't get bored and are still focused.
References
Preschool Teachers Play an Important Role in Children's Growth
https://teamsoftomorrow.com/preschool-teachers-play-important-role-childrens-growth/
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