Hello, fellow educators! Have you heard of the “Do, Learn, Respond”? This framework is a variation of the more widely known “Experience, Reflect, Apply” model. Rooted in principles of experiential learning and reflective practice, it applies to various educational contexts, including early childhood education and care.

What is Do, Learn, Respond?

Experiential learning theories have been explored by several scholars over the years, including John Dewey, David Kolb, and Kurt Lewin, among others. These theories emphasise the importance of hands-on experiences, reflection on those experiences, and the application of learning to new situations. I love hands-on learning, as a teacher, even when I teach adults in my vocational classrooms!

The “Do, Learn, Respond” framework likely emerged from the amalgamation of ideas and practices within the field of experiential education, active learning (Do!) and reflective practice.

1. Do: In this stage, learners engage in hands-on activities, experiments, or experiences related to the subject matter. This could include conducting experiments, participating in simulations, or solving real-world problems.
2. Learn: After the hands-on experience, learners reflect on what they did and what they observed. They analyse the outcomes of their actions and seek to understand the underlying principles or concepts. This stage often involves discussions, reading relevant materials, or listening to lectures to deepen understanding.
3. Respond: In the final stage, learners respond to the experience and learning by applying what they have learned to new situations or contexts. This could involve creating projects, writing reports, or participating in discussions to demonstrate their understanding and how they plan to use their new knowledge or skills in the future.

Let’s apply this “Do, Learn, Respond” framework to planting seeds with children in early childhood education and care. It certainly can create a rich learning experience.

1. Do (Experience)
   • Begin by engaging children in the hands-on activity of planting seeds. Provide them with materials such as pots, soil, seeds, and watering cans. Remember to use a face mask when opening a potting mix.
   • Guide children through the process of planting seeds, demonstrating how to handle the soil, plant the seeds at the appropriate depth, and water them gently.
   • Encourage children to actively participate in the planting process, allowing them to feel the texture of the soil, observe the seeds, and carefully plant them in the pots. Remember – this is fun and messy stage!
   • As they plant the seeds, prompt them with questions to stimulate their curiosity and engagement, such as “What do you think will happen to the seeds once we plant them?” or “Why is it important to water the seeds regularly?”
2. Learn (Reflect)
   • After planting the seeds, facilitate a reflective discussion (in a circle or informally) with the children about their experiences. Encourage them to share their observations, thoughts, and feelings about planting the seeds. Here you can use mind maps.
   • Ask open-ended questions to prompt critical thinking and deeper reflection, such as “What did you notice about the seeds and soil?” or “Why do you think plants need water and sunlight to grow?”
   • Provide opportunities for children to explore related concepts through books, videos, or other resources. For example, read a story about seeds and plants, or watch a short video showing the life cycle of a plant. One of my favourite books on that topic is “A Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle.
   • Engage children in activities that reinforce their learning, such as drawing pictures of what they observed while planting seeds, or writing or dictating their observations in a journal.
3. Respond (Apply)
   • Encourage children to apply what they’ve learned about planting seeds by taking responsibility for caring for the seeds they’ve planted. Assign tasks such as watering the seeds regularly, monitoring their growth, and recording their observations.
   • Create opportunities for children to extend their learning through related activities, such as exploring different types of seeds, experimenting with planting seeds in different conditions (e.g., sunlight vs. shade), or investigating the role of water and nutrients in plant growth.
   • Foster children’s sense of responsibility and agency by involving them in decisions about caring for the plants, such as where to place them for optimal sunlight or how often to water them.
   • Celebrate and acknowledge children’s efforts and achievements as they observe the seeds germinate, grow into seedlings, and eventually develop into mature plants.