This webinar drew on findings from our recent discussion paper outlining how early childhood educators and teachers can actively plan for, respond to and reflect on both planned and spontaneous learning opportunities throughout the day.
The session brought together early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals to explore how play-based learning can be designed and supported to promote meaningful educational outcomes.
Led by AERO Director of Strategic Engagement & Implementation (ECEC), Dr Katey De Gioia, with key insights from Dr Anne Kennedy, Dr Luke Touhill, and Amy Shine, the webinar shared insights into how educators can use intentionality to plan for and respond to children's play, while maintaining a clear educational purpose.
Our 3 contributors wrapped up their discussions with their key takeaways.
Dr Anne Kennedy encouraged ECEC professionals to engage deeply with the intention behind their actions. '[It's important to] think about what you're doing,' she said. 'Whether it's the environment, whether it's the routines, whether it's the planned learning experiences. To think individually and to think collectively about what you're doing and why you're doing it.'
Building on that takeaway, Dr Luke Touhill highlighted the importance of knowing the why in what we do, including thinking about what your intentions are and taking time to stop and ask yourself, '"What am I trying to achieve here?" before you jump straight to, "What am I going to do here?" I think they're both important,' he said, 'but the doing is more effective if you've done the thinking about why first.'
Amy Shine's final insight wrapped up why so many ECEC professionals do what they do. 'Our children are the most important little people in our world,' she concluded. 'So, let's make them feel really safe and secure.'
You can watch the recording of the full webinar, including a Q&A session with the presenters, in this video.
Duration: 57:36
Keywords: ECCE, child development, evidence-based teaching, evidence-based education