Tag: early childhood teacher Australia

EYLF 2.0 theories explained

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment

According to the EYLF (AGDE, 2022), educators are informed by the range of theories and approaches when plan for and support children’s learning. Some theories you already know from the previous version of the EYLF (developmental, socio-cultural, feminist, critical), yet there are few new ones to unpack.

Developmental Theories

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Attachment TheoryKey theorist – John Bowbly. Focuses on children forming trusting relationships with significant adults. Example: A child forming a strong bond with a primary caregiver.
Social Learning TheoryHighlights how children observe and imitate others’ behavior. Example: A child learning to tie shoelaces by watching an older sibling. A negative example: A child learns to swear because they have heard their family language.
Cognitive TheoryPiaget theory is a tipical example of cognitive theory here. Describes thought processes influencing how children engage with their world. Example: A child using problem-solving skills to complete a puzzle. Stages of cognitive development can be used to decide whether the environment is appropriate for this age group.
EYLF THEORIES

Socio-Cultural Theories

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Socio-Cultural TheoriesTheorists that you probably know are: Vygotsky, Rogoff, Bronfenbrenner and Fleer. Emphasise the role of families and cultural groups in children’s learning. Example: A child learning cultural traditions and values from family members; a child has learned how to use a fishing rod , as they went fishing with their granpa.

Practice Theories

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Affordance TheoryThe theorist is Gibson. Affordance theory encourages educators to consider the possibilities the environment offers. Example: Providing a variety of materials to stimulate different types of play.
Practice ArchitecturesExamines educators’ understandings, practices, and relationships. Example: Reflecting on how educators communicate and collaborate in a learning environment.
Learn more about affordances theory

The term “affordance” is explained in this video

Ancestral Knowledges

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Ancestral KnowledgesWays of knowing shared through history and culture in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions. For example, Possum Skin Pedagogy and 8 ways framework. Example: Passing down cultural stories orally from generation to generation.

Place-Based Sciences

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Place-Based SciencesRelated to Affordances and Ancestral knowledge theory. Fosters community connections based on local funds of knowledge. Example: Incorporating local cultural practices into the curriculum.

Critical Theories

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Critical TheoriesPaulo Freire, Jurgen Habermas. Critical theory challenges assumptions about curriculum and considers how decisions may impact children differently. Example: Questioning the inclusion of certain narratives or perspectives in educational materials.

Feminist/Post-structuralist Theories

TheoryKey Concepts and Examples
Feminist/Post-structuralistOffers insights into power, equity, and social justice in early childhood settings. Example: Examining gender biases in teaching materials and promoting inclusive practices.

Which of these theories are you most familiar with?

Which theory would you like to learn more about?

7 easy to play circle time games

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment
Sleeping lions is just one of the games you can play with children during group time or free play on a rainy day.

Here are 7 more ideas 👉

Simon Says – this classic game involves one player being “Simon” and giving commands such as “Simon says touch your nose” while the other players follow the instructions. If Simon says something without starting with “Simon says,” then players shouldn’t follow the command. Another version of this game I like is Yogi Says, which invites children to come up with ONE yoga pose for other children to follow. For example, Yogi says, touch your toes; Yogi says – do a tree pose etc.

Red Light, Green Light – this game involves one player being the “traffic light” and facing away from the other players. When the traffic light says “green light,” the players move toward the traffic light. When the traffic light says “red light,” the players must freeze. The first player to reach the traffic light wins.

Duck, Duck, Goose – this game involves children sitting in a circle while one child walks around tapping each player’s head, saying “duck, duck, duck,” and then finally saying “goose.” The child who was tapped as the “goose” must stand up and chase the “tapper” around the circle.

Animal Walks – have the children imitate different animal walks, such as a bear, elephant, or crab. The children can walk around the room or follow a designated path. I use special “move like animal” cards for that.

Freeze Dance – play music and have the kids dance until the music stops, at which point they must freeze. Repeat until everyone has had a chance to dance.

“The Floor is Lava” is a popular game that can be played indoors or outdoors. The objective of the game is to get from one end of the play area to the other without touching the “lava” (the floor).

Here’s how to play:

Choose a play area: This can be a room in your house, a section of your backyard, or any other designated space.

Declare the floor as lava: All players must agree that the floor is now “lava” and that they cannot touch it.

Create obstacles: Players must use furniture, cushions, or other objects to create a path or obstacle course that they can use to get from one end of the play area to the other without touching the floor.

Start playing: Players must use the obstacles to get from one end of the play area to the other without touching the floor. If a player touches the floor, they are out of the game. The last player remaining is the winner.

“Fruit Salad” is a fun and active game that can be played with children of all ages. Here’s how to play:

Choose your fruits: Before playing, decide on a list of fruits that you want to use. This can include real fruits or fruits made out of paper, foam, or fabric.

Create a basket: This can be a real basket or a designated area on the floor where the fruits will be placed.

Start the game: One player is chosen to be “it” and starts the game by calling out the name of a fruit. All other players must then run to the basket and try to find the matching fruit.

Collect the fruit: The first player to find the matching fruit must pick it up and return to the starting point. They then place the fruit in a separate area, such as a basket or a designated spot on the floor.

Repeat: The player who collected the fruit becomes “it” and starts the game by calling out the name of a different fruit. The game continues until all of the fruits have been collected.

What are your favourite games to play during circle time or outdoor play with children?

Top Storytelling techniques for early childhood classrooms

~ storykate ~ Leave a comment

Storytelling is a powerful tool for early childhood educators. It can help children to develop their imagination, creativity, and language skills. It can also teach them about different cultures, values and concepts. It evokes emotional response and simply one of the best tools teachers can use. The only problem we get stuck in the rut and don’t use a variety of storytelling techniques… While reading a book is fun, let’s try something new today!

Here are 10 storytelling techniques that you I use in my early childhood practice:

  1. Use puppets. Puppets are a great way to engage children’s attention and to bring stories to life. You can use puppets to tell traditional stories or to create your own stories. Think of finger puppets; hand puppets; paper puppets, puppets on a stick; shadow puppets.
  2. Use drama. Drama is a fun and active way to tell stories. You can have children act out stories as whole groups, small groups, or individually. My favourite stories are 3 little pigs; great big turnip; we are going on a bear hunt; stone soup.
  3. Use Steiner props. Steiner props are simple objects that can be used to represent different characters, settings, and events in stories. Some examples of Steiner props include scarves, dress-up clothes, and real objects such as stones, sticks, and leaves.
  4. Use real objects. Real objects can be used to create a more realistic and engaging storytelling experience for children. For example, you could use a pot, carrots, and potatoes to tell the story of Stone Soup.
  5. Use music. Music can be used to enhance the storytelling experience. You can play instrumental music in the background while you tell a story, or you can have children sing songs or play instruments along with the story. I love to sing stories like “there was a princess long ago, long ago”; puff the magic dragon etc.
  6. Use visual aids. Visual aids such as pictures, drawings, and maps can help children to understand and follow stories. You can also use visual aids to create a more immersive storytelling experience. My friend tells stories during rest times and children love to contribute.
  7. Use sound stories. Sound stories are stories that are told using only sound effects and music. Sound stories can be a great way to engage children’s imaginations and to create a sense of suspense and excitement. I love ABC radio kids , but there are tons of audio stories you can listen to and recreate in your group.
  8. Use felt boards. Felt boards are a versatile storytelling tool. You can use felt boards to tell stories, to create scenes, and to play games.
  9. Use props. Props can be used to make storytelling more engaging and interactive for children. You can use props to represent different characters, settings, and events in stories. For example, have a box of dress ups with fairy wings; Witcher hats; animal tales and other dress ups to encourage children create their own stories.
  10. Use your voice. Your voice is one of your most powerful storytelling tools. You can use your voice to create different moods and atmospheres, and to bring characters to life. This one is the most accessible too. Model famous storytellers online to learn how to create suspense and anticipation.

Here are some tips for using these storytelling techniques in your early childhood classroom:

  • Choose stories that are appropriate for the age and interests of your children.
  • Be creative and have fun with it! Storytelling should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your children.
  • Encourage children to participate in the storytelling process. They can help you to choose stories, to act out scenes, and to come up with ideas for props and costumes. They can also add to the story or create a different ending.
  • Use storytelling to teach children about different cultures and values. My favourite book is fairy tales around the world, which has a lot of stories that are less known.
  • Most importantly, make sure that storytelling is a regular part of your classroom routine. Children love stories, and they will benefit from hearing stories on a daily basis.

Learn to write a play and learning plan with me (step-by-step)

~ storykate ~ Leave a comment

Feeling stuck with writing your first play and learning experience plan as an early childhood educator? Here is my step-by-step tutorial to help you to get over the fear of a black page (or open Storypark application).