Day 13: Playing with Children and Providing Playful Opportunities

Today, I initiated a nature play session in the outdoor area where children created “nature potions” using water, leaves, and flowers. This unstructured play fostered creativity, collaboration, and sensory exploration. I observed how child-led play encourages risk-taking, negotiation, and problem-solving. I documented several play episodes that I later used for planning.

Typical Playtime Activities

I engage with the children in role-playing games where we act out different scenarios, like running a café, pretending to be animals, or mimicking family roles. I use props like costumes, dolls, or play kitchens to make the play more realistic and fun (Vygotsky, 1978).
Objective: This activity encourages the children to develop their social skills, empathy, and creativity. It also improves their communication skills as we take turns and discuss different roles during play.
Reflection: For instance, when we pretended to run a café, I encouraged the children to take turns being the cook, the waiter, and the customer. It was a great opportunity for them to practice polite language and social interactions (Vygotsky, 1978).

Fostering Creativity and Learning

I provide materials that allow for open-ended play, such as blocks, art supplies, fabric, and natural objects. These items can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the children’s imagination.
Objective: Open-ended play promotes creativity by allowing children to decide how they want to use the materials, fostering problem-solving skills and self-expression.
Reflection: I observed that when I provided a selection of building blocks, the children came up with various creations, from towers to animals. They were proud of their imaginative structures, and I encouraged them by asking questions like, “What else can you add to make it even bigger?”

I regularly plan art activities that encourage the children to use different media (paint, clay, markers, and natural materials). I guide them to express themselves freely while also introducing basic techniques such as mixing colors, shapes, and textures.
Objective: Art activities foster creativity, fine motor skills, and emotional expression. Children can reflect their feelings and thoughts through art, which also improves their confidence in creating.
Reflection: During a painting session, I encouraged the children to experiment with colors and shapes. One child used colors to create a landscape, and I praised her for her creativity and asked her about her vision behind the colors she chose. It helped her build confidence in her artistic expression.

Information

🌿 Activity: "Nature Collect" – Exploring Colors in Nature

What I did:
I planned an activity called “Nature Collect” where I drew large circles on the ground using different colors (green, brown, pink, yellow, etc.). I asked the children to go outside and collect natural items that matched the colors in the circles. For example, they gathered green leaves, brown twigs, pink flowers, and yellow petals. Once the children returned with their items, we grouped them according to the colors, discussed their findings, and celebrated the beauty of nature’s diversity.

This activity encouraged children to explore the natural environment while learning to identify colors, shapes, and textures. It also provided an opportunity for children to engage in sensory play and develop their fine motor skills.

Learning Intentions:

To enhance children's ability to observe and identify colors in nature
To foster a connection with the natural world
To encourage sensory exploration and outdoor play
To promote cooperation and group discussion through sharing their findings

EYLF Learning Outcomes Linked:

✅ Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

1.1 Children feel safe, secure, and supported in their learning environment
1.4 Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy, and respect

✅ Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world