Never too old to learn to play
Anumber of local mums have been completing training workshops at Playcentre recently as part of the free education programme that Playcentre Aotearoa offers to its members. The training aims to support and equip parents in their roles as a child’s best teacher. It teaches how to more effectively communicate with children in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them, maximising their learning and relationships.
The workshops focus on discovering how different children learn as they develop; practical play strategies and how to provide resources that are inviting to children (they don’t need loads of toys); positive guidance strategies for better managing difficult behavioural situations; and much more.
These workshops are part of the nationally recognised Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification.
One of the most popular features has been the discussion around schemas, which are children’s natural urges or patterns of repeated behaviour as they play and explore an idea. Things like repeatedly hiding things, or pouring things out, or building and demolishing things are all very simple examples of schema.
Recognising these patterns help us identify what a child is currently grasping mentally, and we can provide resources and opportunities to help build on those urges – rather than just giving them a toy that they have lost interest in five seconds later.
Katie says “it’s reassuring to learn that certain behaviours I have previously found undesirable, and even triggering at times, are actually part of normal development. I’m now much more aware of what’s happening and able to fine-tune ways to help them satisfy those urges.”
Janine says “this awareness helps me stay much calmer at home.”
During one workshop they explored the concepts at the carpentry play area. Tamariki got involved sawing up clay, chiselling, spinning vice handles, hammering nails and blitzing cakes of soap to bits – and yes all the tools were real! Using clay and bars of soap rather than wood made the activity more manageable for the younger ones – even oneyear-old Connie got engrossed poking nails into the clay. The sense of achievement from sawing all the way through a
block of clay was evident in their proud grins.
Another member explains “We notice a huge shift in our sessions after parents have completed these workshops – they are so much more enthusiastic and engaged. The kids love it too when mum or dad (or nana) get involved at their level
rather than just supervising from a distance, or passing a toy. Play is about so much more than toys.”
Playcentre runs multiple sessions each week at Ōmokoroa, Te Puna, Waihī Beach and Katikati. Check out Facebook or the www.playcentre.org.nz for more details. Article supplied.