Discovery Time Week one

In Room 3 this year there have been a few subtle changes to our class programme....basically there is a bit more "play time"   

Play is an essential part of a child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. For many teachers and parents ‘play’ has attracted a negative ‘time wasting’ connotation but in reality play is a vital part of every child’s development.  It allows them to test ideas, work through uncertainties, explore social interactions  and make sense of the world around them.  Play has no predetermined outcome or time limit.  It is not about an end product but about a process.  It’s the exploration of ideas that is crucial.  Play is children’s work.

It can be argued that children today have fewer opportunities to play and be active than in the past.  There is less time spent exploring the natural world, less time ‘doing their own thing,’ fewer opportunities to take risks and problem solve.  There is more time in supervised, protected and confining activities that put boundaries on learning and creativity.

"Our weekly 'Discovery Time' is one of those opportunities that gives the Room 3 children to do this very important children's work. "