Hero photograph
 
Photo by Rachael Hamilton

PLAYING AT HOME

Lucy Naylor —

I am sure most parents would agree that play is vital for children's development. However, typically learning is seen as separate from play. The primary focus is on developing children's literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge building in science, the arts, technology etc. Learning within these areas is more formal (think: sitting down, writing, completing tasks, puzzles, problems, or activities set by the teacher). For many adults, this is what learning looks and sounds like.

Learning in lockdown has undoubtedly looked and sounded different and has perhaps, included a bit more play. But consider this, What if this play produces far more comprehensive benefits for children besides increasing their knowledge about things already known? What if learning could look like the growth of creativity, initiative, innovation, self/emotional regulation, and diverse thinking abilities? When children engage in play in which they set the direction, they are exposed to a broad and diverse development of skills and ways of thinking.

Play helps to give children a sense of normality – especially in a time of uncertainty and anxiety. It allows them to make meaning about what's happening around them and to experience fun. That fort construction you trip around in the living room? The one for which all your sheets and blankets are now being used? That has enabled your child to develop spatial awareness; three-dimensional shape knowledge, imagination; creative thinking; perseverance; problem-solving and innovation, to name just a few skills, knowledge, and executive functions.

There is a range of executive function skills. As a starter, fundamental executive functioning skills include adaptable (flexible) thinking, planning; self-monitoring; self-control; working memory; time management, and organisation. These are foundation skills for all other types of learning. So as we hit week 6 of Home Learning, encourage your children to engage in play.

Pretend play is a tremendous natural starting point to develop executive functioning - adults are not needed 'in' the play, but we can support and encourage it! Pretend play needs to be in a safe space, so if you have older children, who may view pretend play as babyish, maybe have a quiet word to change the narrative. Pretend play is identified as one of the most important types of play that children can be engaged in – so when you spot it, it should be nurtured and valued.

Children need support for their play. These things do not have to be the latest toys or fancy props for the play. The less the things 'tell' children how they are supposed to be used, the better. If children need to pretend that an item is something else, they are using their brain in a far superior way to when the 'thing' tells them what they are. Encourage creativity and source loose parts from around your home. They don't (and shouldn't) have to cost a thing to find (nor need you to leave the house under current level restrictions).

So when the pots and pans get dragged into the bedroom, or when a jungle is being created in your hallway with blankets and mops – you can hand on heart know that learning is still going on. In a way, for many children, unlike anything, they will experience during their time at school.

Boredom is the beginning of imagination and learning!

To find out more about how play supports learning, check out the research and work of Nathan Wallis - Nathan Wallis, Play-Based Learning.

I also encourage you to look at his video with some tips for surviving lockdown with children. 

Nathan Wallis' three 'Rs' for surviving lockdown with kids Family Times

FOBS Bowls Evening 

Sadly, we have made the decision to cancel this year's Bowls Night scheduled for the end of October,  as we are likely to be under some restrictions it seemed sensible to cancel. For those of you who purchased tickets, we will be in touch to arrange a refund.

BUT we are looking forward to planning a FOSB Family Picnic to celebrate the end of the year. I look forward to sharing details closer to the time. 

SBS at Level 3

A reminder that at Level 3 the school grounds including the playground and basketball court remain closed.

Home Learning Review

Thank you for your continued support of Home Learning, the children really have given it 200%, we are seeing a lot of creative and innovative learning! 

As always we really value your feedback so we can continuously improve how and what we deliver in our Home Learning Program.

Please complete the survey below by Friday 1 October.

2021 Home Learning Survey  

We look forward to hearing your feedback and more importantly seeing you back at school in the near future.

Stay safe in your bubbles

Nga mihi 

Lucy Naylor
Tumuaki /Principal




,