Task_7_Cypop_5

Task 7 Play is a very important part of children's lives. When children play they are in control, can experiment, explore & put right their mistakes. Play is how children learn, it offers opportunities to investigate, explore, develop new skills & master and improve existing skills. Planning activities that are inclusive in your setting encourages children to develop positive learning environment. This means having materials, toys, resources in your setting that reflect the diversity of our society. Thus play can help Manshu with her potty training, such as roleplay with dolls could help Manshu understand all about what potty training involves. It could also make the child become much more relaxed about this step in life. For Jessica play ( roleplay with dolls) could help her understand all about her baby sister and what is happening in the changes at home in her life. You could ask they children to help you with your daily routines letting the children learn & develop new skills. You could get the children to wash their hands so they can help prepare food, this helps them develop a good understanding of hygiene practices, which helps develop their personal, social & cognitive development.Children could help to prepare snack, helping their sensory development, using tools (suitable for children) to cut/prepare the snack helping build their physical development. Children could then help to set the table to eat at, this will help develop their independence, it also helps them to learn to follow instruction helping their language skills., matching children's place mats to their cups & plates can also help learn matching skills, helping their cognitive development. Children could help to tidy up which would develop their social & emotional development, you could make a game out of this & count the things they pick up, helping their mathematic development. Junk modeling with the children is a good way to teach the children about recycling items from around the home whilst having fun. This also helps a child's imaginative play plus physical & creative development. Taking children outside to play can help children to develop a number of skills. Getting ready to go out children can learn about different body parts as they put on their coast, wellies etc. Then when outside you can help the child's knowledge & understanding of the world. Climbing & playing on outdoor equipment helps a child's physical development & co-ordination. Observing Children at Play Through observing and keeping a written record of observations of children at play, is a way for you to learn how the child learns, what they enjoy, the development stage they are at and how to plan activities for that child. As children learn through play, when you observe them at play, you will learn the stage they are at, and this will allow you to plan for them individually. You will also learn what kind of learner the child is. Keeping a record of a child’s development is very important, so you can recognise if they are advancing or maybe falling behind some early learning goals. Observations are a great way of sharing information with parents too. Keeping observations will allow you to plan efficiently for each child, knowing where to focus some learning and for you to plan different challenges for the child to allow them to progress. Keeping a learning journal and incorporating your observations into this along with pictures and pieces of the child’s work, will allow you to keep a good chronological diary of the child’s progress, and make planning run smoothly and well. The importance of children receiving equal access, based on their individual needs and acknowledging their rights Children need to be treated as individuals, equally and with respect. The children’s act 2004, has the requirement’ to treat all children as individuals, and with equal concern’. Every single child is different, will enjoy different activities, dislike different activities, and have their own way of learning, through play, and other activities. It is the responsibility of the child carer to ensure they cater for each and every individual need. To do this effectively, you will need to plan for each child, taking observations, and get to know the children in your care well. Everyone that comes to your setting should be welcomed and respected, their beliefs and interests respected as well as their personalities, needs, values, abilities and interests. It is essential that you do not discriminate for any reason, and offer an inclusive environment, and cater and treat everyone equally. Meeting the individual needs of every child is so important, as this ensures they are receiving the best possible care, their rights are being met, opportunities, and an environment that lets them grow and learn at their own pace, securely, safely and happily. The rights of every child are paramount in childcare, when you acknowledge the rights and individuality of every child, you can offer an inclusive setting, where everyone is treated equally and with respect. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, approved in 1991 has 54 articles, giving every child under 18 their own rights, saying that a child’s wellbeing and being shown respect are the principal factors. All children have the right to be heard, but deeper than that, listened to with interest and their views or comments valued and respected. Children have the right to privacy, a right to education with a view to achieve, the right to express their views freely and be heard, the right to have a full opportunity to play and recreation. The best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in all activities concerning the child, and children have the right to be protected from all forms of discrimination. All these points are detailed in the UNCRC,articles 2,3,7,12,13,16,28. Drop-in sessions can be invaluable in providing support and an opportunity to share ideas, good practice and resources. Places such as toy libraries are a great place to borrow toys for a certain length of time, these can be certain toys you would only use for a short time, such as if a child was going into hospital, you could borrow doctors & nurses dress up, storybooks about hospital, etc. You could share toys also between local childminders if there is no toy library in your area, helping the rotation of toys in your area. Planning special days out with the children to the park, museums etc can help a child's development. You could take a camera & let the children take photos, making a storybook all about your day. Meeting up with other childminders for picnics etc can help the children form new friendships & help you learn & develop by discussing different ways of play. Other forms of play you could do at home are 'keep fit' session, their are alot of cd/DVDs out there that are made for kids & adults to do, children will find this lots of fun & will help develop their physical development. Making dens out of old sheets, can help a child's creative & imaginative play.