After a conversation with a colleague, I sat in the office looking outinto the play yard and pondered the question, “What is really happening when the children are playing?”
Within play, children are building on many life skills. They are learning to not only express theirideas and emotions but are learning how they actions impact others.
Today lets focus on “fair and unfair.” As educators, we have a responsibility to guide children’s understanding around how they can talk to their peers and express themselves in a way that is still caring for others.
There is a tricky balance between saying, “I am still your friend, but want to play with someone.” The flip side issupporting children’s emotional regulation and how they respond to this.
Thisis important for children to learning in the preschool environment for then they start to navigate the play yard at big school.
I would like to challenge educators to reflect with their team on what they view as “fair and unfair” and how this can be shared with the children. Some examples may be when we see children gooff and hide when it is time to pack away. By addressing this and encouraging “fair and unfair” conversations, weallow children to connect and think concept to the different ways they treat others.
In Australia, this is directly linked to the Learning outcomes within the Early Years Learning Framework and allows children to learn about how their actions impact those around them.
Itis a great reflective conversation to have at your next team meeting.
Janine Kelly