14 Sep Real Life Experiences
Competent Confident Kids
We see children as capable and competent community of learners. Our Educators design learning programs, collaborate with children and guide their learning.
These programs incorporate ‘real life’ tools, appliances and equipment made available in each of our designated environments, inspiring children to get ‘hands on’ practical learning experiences. Working alongside each child, our Educators identify the small group of children’s interests and adapt the learning focus of the day.
PROGRAM BENEFITS:
Children using real tools can be a nerve-wracking prospect. In home environments families may be hesitant and unsure on how to approach and encourage their child to introduce these tools (e.g. knifes, peelers, broom, saw, hammer, nails, saw). The Kid’s Cottage (KC) environments, are the ideal setting to acquire these skills. Our spaces are purpose designed and our Educators facilitating small groups of children are readily available with appropriate supervision and guidance.
EXPERIENCE BASED LEARNING
There’s a rule in storytelling that it’s always better to show than tell. The same is true in teaching. Children learn better when they experience a concept or skill first hand. As humans we don’t truly understand why a hammer has to be heavy until you’ve swung its weight onto a nail. It’s only through sawing a piece of wood that you feel the resistance against the saw teeth and you also engage the senses of seeing, smelling and feeling the sawdust that’s produced.
BOOST CONFIDENCE
Research shows that children who regularly contribute to daily chores have a greater self-esteem and confidence. This effect is visible at every age throughout their childhood:
Research shows that children who regularly contribute to daily chores have a greater self-esteem and confidence. This effect is visible at every age throughout their childhood:
- Younger children take great pride in accomplishing things that their Educators and family can do. From learning to throw a ball, to making their own bed. Just think of their pride the first time they tied their own shoelaces! Doing adult tasks helps children to feel more grown-up, boosting their confidence along the way.
- Older children feel a great level of personal satisfaction from being able to demonstrate that they can “take care of themselves” by serving their own food, setting a table, which in turn feeds into their sense of independence, perseverance and self-sufficiency.
SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Many children are naturally inclined to perform chores willingly when they are aware that they are helping the day run smoothly. Knowing that participating in tasks and helping they are contributing to a cohesive environment. There is also a sense of “togetherness” that children will feel through understanding that every adult and child is doing their part to achieve a common goal. This is irreplaceable and will go a long way towards encouraging children to participate in daily chores.
Many children are naturally inclined to perform chores willingly when they are aware that they are helping the day run smoothly. Knowing that participating in tasks and helping they are contributing to a cohesive environment. There is also a sense of “togetherness” that children will feel through understanding that every adult and child is doing their part to achieve a common goal. This is irreplaceable and will go a long way towards encouraging children to participate in daily chores.
PREPARE FOR ADULTHOOD
As hard as it may be to imagine, our young children will soon grow to be an adults. Part of our responsibility, as Educators, is to teach our children the perseverance, skills and maturity that they will need to succeed on their own when they are move on through their years. At some point, children will have to take the initiative to cook, clean, and organise their lives for themselves, and the sooner they are involved in those processes the more comfortable they will be taking those tasks on for themselves. Teaching children to have ownership of these tasks at an early age helps them to develop the maturity required to willingly complete chores.
As hard as it may be to imagine, our young children will soon grow to be an adults. Part of our responsibility, as Educators, is to teach our children the perseverance, skills and maturity that they will need to succeed on their own when they are move on through their years. At some point, children will have to take the initiative to cook, clean, and organise their lives for themselves, and the sooner they are involved in those processes the more comfortable they will be taking those tasks on for themselves. Teaching children to have ownership of these tasks at an early age helps them to develop the maturity required to willingly complete chores.
THE KIDS COTTAGE APPROACH
KC subscribes to the philosophy that all adults and children should “pitch in” to help with the daily chores and tasks. Setting up for meal time, meal preparation, growing herbs and vegetables, hanging and folding laundry, sweeping, making beds, setting up learning environments, and packing up resources after use. When we start using the tools, we do so seriously. Educators ensure the children are introduced to the equipments and tools, know what it is used for, how to use it safely as well as what the safety rules and measures are. If they’re getting to know a tool, the tasks will be simple. Instead of an end product the purpose will be to explore what the tool can do. If it’s a saw, we saw sticks or blocks of various sizes and densities, plus clamps to hold them in place. Learning with real life equipment and tools at KC includes sewing, cooking utensils and appliances, gardening equipment, tools to put equipment together such as screwdrivers, hammers, office equipment such as laminator, stapler, scissors and more.
KC subscribes to the philosophy that all adults and children should “pitch in” to help with the daily chores and tasks. Setting up for meal time, meal preparation, growing herbs and vegetables, hanging and folding laundry, sweeping, making beds, setting up learning environments, and packing up resources after use. When we start using the tools, we do so seriously. Educators ensure the children are introduced to the equipments and tools, know what it is used for, how to use it safely as well as what the safety rules and measures are. If they’re getting to know a tool, the tasks will be simple. Instead of an end product the purpose will be to explore what the tool can do. If it’s a saw, we saw sticks or blocks of various sizes and densities, plus clamps to hold them in place. Learning with real life equipment and tools at KC includes sewing, cooking utensils and appliances, gardening equipment, tools to put equipment together such as screwdrivers, hammers, office equipment such as laminator, stapler, scissors and more.
SUMMARY
There are many real benefits for children being taught how to safely use tools. Beyond the practical capability and self sufficiency children gain in conducting everyday tasks, these programs also have benefits in terms of developing self-esteem, confidence, perseverance, motor skills , concentration, understanding of the material world and preparation for adulthood. Learning to use real tools gives children immense pride and satisfaction. As Educators, we can share in their sense of accomplishment knowing that, by trusting and allowing children to take these risks in a safe environment, we are expecting them to succeed rather than assuming they will fail. Children know they’re being trusted with grown-up responsibilities, and we’ve yet to see a child not rise to the challenge.
There are many real benefits for children being taught how to safely use tools. Beyond the practical capability and self sufficiency children gain in conducting everyday tasks, these programs also have benefits in terms of developing self-esteem, confidence, perseverance, motor skills , concentration, understanding of the material world and preparation for adulthood. Learning to use real tools gives children immense pride and satisfaction. As Educators, we can share in their sense of accomplishment knowing that, by trusting and allowing children to take these risks in a safe environment, we are expecting them to succeed rather than assuming they will fail. Children know they’re being trusted with grown-up responsibilities, and we’ve yet to see a child not rise to the challenge.
Like to see this in practice? We’d love to show you. Book an in person or virtual tour today. Our Educators would love to meet with you and show you around our Preschool. Simply call us on 9683 2770 or book online, click here