Join Olivia and explore the ability to unlock children's imaginations, awe and wonder through fantasy play in the form of small world play! I'm sure we all have fond memories of engaging in small world play as young children, using our immersive imaginations to explore distant lands or made up worlds with the help of small actions figures, or whatever small objects we had accessible. Children's imaginations are incredible and are their to be nurtured and developed, as through small world play and the resources and environments we provide children we can unlock incredible holistic learning opportunities through this form of dynamic and creative play. In this class you'll have the opportunity to engage with the key principles of small world play, the benefits that come from engaging with such play, the ways we can support children in their play and other practical tips and tricks to support your practice!
1. Utilising Small World Play
04:45Lesson 1 explores how you can harness small world play to develop your children's holistic development and help you to develop your enabling environments and continuous provision. Olivia will take you through the advantages of your setting harnessing the power of small world play, as well as some hints and tips on how this can be achieved.
2. Holistic Learning Through Small World Play
05:21Small world can easily become a major facilitator for holistic learning and development! Depending on our interactions and the environment/resources provided emotional, educational and cognitive learning can all be driven from small world play and provide the children with amazing opportunities for further learning through their own imaginations and exploration.
3. The Role Of The Adult In Small World Play
08:46This lesson is all about our 'why' when it comes to small world play. The role of the adult is so important during early childhood growth and development, which is why it's so important we're interacting positively and not interfering with their play. In this lesson Olivia takes you through the important role of the adult in small world play and how we can assist children in their learning.
4. Understanding The World
06:23One of the most prominent areas of learning that can be easily pulled out of small world play and incorporated into the resources and environments we provide children. Olivia models a number of ways in which we can link understanding the world development with small world play, and how it can help undo gender stereotypes, foster a culturally diverse setting and even support children's fears of visiting the doctors!
5. Communication & Language
08:18Incorporating rich language and exposure to new words and meaning is so simple when engaging with small world play and children imaginations. Through our interactions with children during small world play Olivia demonstrates ways in which you can present children with rich language and new words they might not normally be exposed to during day to day life.
What I enjoy the most about the early years, is allowing children to thrive in a caring, compassionate and engaging environment. Previously, I have trained and come from a performing arts and entertainment background, which of course comes together nicely when working with these impressionable and curious children. I pride myself in making learning fun and enabling, whilst encouraging children to celebrate their own unique individualities.
I've recently become a mummy for the first time and just recently gone back to work as a room leader. I was really nervous about feeling left behind and out of the loop, but finding The Early Years Network has given me so many ideas to share with my team and confidence. The bitesize lessons are so easy to dip in and out of, I find myself watching them at the most random moments! I've so far encouraged all my team to sign up and would recommend anyone with young children or works in the industry to get it!
Regardless if you are a standard user or a corporate user, your membership grants you access to our entire collection of Network Classes so you can begin your educational journey with us today without any limitations.
The Early Years Network is all about meaningful learning that will transform the way you interact with and educate young children, not attempting to fill your head with information for the sake of a quick superficial quiz.
Unfortunately for the time being videos are only available in English, but maybe one day...
YES! Content on The Early Years Network has been created for people interested in early years regardless of age, experience or academic background. We have something for everyone whether you are a childminder, parent/carer or an early years professional.
No, all videos are only accessible to stream online and require an internet connection in order to access the platform and watch the content.
Absolutely not, The Early Years Network has been optimised to be used on any device from your mobile phone to your tablet! Our flexible approach to learning embraces any and all types of device so you can learn anytime, anywhere!
Whilst The Early Years Network is not an accredited body we do offer skill-based learning helping people transform knowledge and theory into meaningful change and improvement to their practice, environments and curriculum. Our Network Courses are created and hosted by leading experts within their academic fields, and upon completion of each course learners will be provided with a certificate to evidence their achievement.
Of course not! You're free to cancel your membership whenever you like.
We are a learning and development platform dedicated to the magical world of early years! We cover a wide range of topics, from child brain development to the importance of safeguarding and child wellbeing, through high-quality and immersive video content.
We cover everything Early Years from ‘Cognitive Development Theories’, to the science behind play and even how to build the best rocket ship out of cardboard (you won't want to miss that video!). If you can think of a topic in early years we've probably got a video on it!
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