Page 29 - FWG_Issue 5_June_2022

Today’s Child

When looking for an early learning campus, community, where teaching is engaging,
parents should search for a school that is relevant and interactive; and
not only aesthetically pleasing but, more • Where the school follows a positive
importantly, where the child's well-being is discipline policy – where the children are
placed at the forefront. guided positively and supported as they
develop their social and self-regulation
“Young children learn best when provided skills.
with opportunities to ‘play’ – where they
can explore, discover, and experiment in “For parents who may be concerned
order to make sense of the world around about the ability of schools to adapt to
them. The school and the teachers need to the new paradigm, they can be reassured
be cognisant of this and facilitate the child’s that the inclusion of the younger years
personal learning journey through careful into their programmes is doable if the
observations and by providing meaningful right approach is followed. Approaches to
and relevant learning opportunities.” teaching and learning in the early years –
such as the Reggio Emilia approach – are
Other things to look out for when searching well documented and provide schools with
for the right ECD environment for your prime examples of best practice. Here, the
child, include: emphasis is not on equipping a school with
• Teachers who are appropriately qualified expensive resources, but rather connecting
to teach in an early learning environment; the student with natural elements in
• Teachers who have a caring and positive meaningful ways, with rich learning
disposition; experiences, and helping the school to
• A place where the child is viewed as reimagine and repurpose available materials
competent and capable; – resulting in rich learning opportunities and
• A place where there is a strong sense of possibilities," Eagle concludes.

Young children learn best when provided with opportunities

to ‘play’ – where they can explore, discover, and experiment

in order to make sense of the world around them.

Fourways Gardens • 27 • June 2022