The new Early Learning Framework works closely in conjunction with the First Peoples Principles of Learning. This is a great perspective on how a holistic approach to early learning is necessary to acknowledge how our environment, differences, and ideas play an important role in making sure that “early year’s spaces are inclusive” (Early Learning Framework, p.15) The following resources bring to light the various ways you can bring awareness to our lived experiences around the world.
Young children are innate to creating relationships with all the things that are around them. As they repeat, try new things, engage in conversation, share ideas and find new ways to create meaning. It is helpful to offer different kinds of books and resources that are not directly related to human experiences.
For example; Owl Babies and Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea are books geared towards relationships, being present for one another through various situations that may come up in our lives.
Owl babies can be
made into a story scape! When you read the book, you may want to take key aspects of its materials and make them visible to children. For example; a small basket with feathers, and different tree branches to help children tell the story. Over a period, children may begin to tell their own stories with the owl materials.
Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea accompanied with small beaded balls and a carrot to help bring the words alive! Children are encouraged to mould the story to their needs to help them create a relationship with the kind messages in the book. Children may be interested in recreating these stories using various materials.
When we think of how our environment supports our children it is important to think how “children and adults accept and value the difference in others and themselves” (Early Learning Framework 2019, p.85) Open-ended materials that invite children and educators to see how different people in different places in the world live a diverse life. Handa’s Surprise and Ramadan Kareem both come equipped with materials to extend the story. It may be interesting to leave the resources out for children over time alongside paper and pencils to see how children might want to extend on what they have read.
The Paper Bag Princess, Families, and Our Dynamic Family are resources that provide children with an opportunity to see how unique we are in our differences, and how our differences can bring us together!
The Paper Bag Princess can be introduced with the puppet and various members of the story! Children love repetition, they will love listening to the story unravel each time. To bring the story alive children may be interested in rein acting their favourite parts! You can incorporate dress-up materials and encourage children to tell their own stories. “I wonder what the Paper Bag Princess would do if she was with us!?” is a great way to start a conversation.
Families- our versatile soft rubber human figures can be put out with different shaped blocks and mirror blocks to see how children can exchange ideas about how they can create a house for all the rubber people! The mirrored blocks may encourage them to take a closer look at their features and see ow special they are. The Childcare Resource & Referral has a great selection of wooden pieces and dollhouses for the children to bring their ideas to life.
Our Dynamic Family resource provides educators and children with a vast variety of materials to Dynamic Family to engage in conversation around family dynamics. This might encourage children to bring pictures of their own families and share what they might like to do at home! Younger children may enjoy being read to.Often time’s children will love the one-on-one special moment!
I will leave you with a quote that fits perfectly into our ever-changing world and how our resources aid in relationship building, coming together in the name of the community and life-long learning between our educators, children and their families.
“Learning is not an individual act but happens in relationship with people, materials and place. All aspects of children’s learning and growing are interconnected and overlapping.” (Early Learning Framework 2019, p. 65)
Our presented resources in order:
T5 – 31523 Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea
T5 – 02433 Owl Babies
T5 – 16771 Ramadan Mubarak
T5 – 16698 The Paper Bag Princess
T1 – 10311 Families
T5 – Our Dynamic Family
Loose Parts are available at the Child Care Resource & Referral, please contact us to get more information on how you can borrow loose parts!
Please email ccrr@gv.ymca.ca or call the Tri-Cities CCRR at 604-931-3400, or Burnaby/New Westminster CCRR at 604-294-1109 to book an appointment for curbside pickup and drop-off.
Because learning should be fun! Check out the Early Learning Library Catalogue for a full list of resources that are available for borrowing!
View the Library Catalogue Now
Written by Sadaf Soheilsayar, Outreach Consultant at the Tri-Cities CCRR.