Find Opportunity

Finding Opportunity

Posted by Sandra - Parent Support Worker Ottawa West-Nepean

Drop-in programs are a wonderful place for parents/caregivers and their children to come and play in a way that meets their timetable.  It’s fun and there is no commitment.  As a facilitator, that means we have our “Hi again!” mixed in with our “Hey!  It’s been a while!”  We also have quieter days mixed with filled to capacity days. 

 When drop-ins are full, it is challenging to connect with parents on the learning that happens through play.  For the occasional families, you don’t have too many chances to make those connections either.  For me, that means looking for opportunities wherever I find them. 

Here’s what I’ve been doing to maximize those opportunities:

·         I take pictures of children learning in various areas and post them around the room in relevant play areas with some general documentation of what a child learns.  As the grown-ups move around with their children, they can take a moment to quickly read these short blurbs.

·         During circle time I take short breaks in between songs or activities and talk about the stations and what are some of the root skills their child is learning this week in the various play area to help them understand and learn some of the ELECT principals.

Here is an example of a blurb you might find in the playroom:

 

SENSORY PLAY

*fine motor; grasp

*hand eye coordination

*body awareness

*vocabulary

*natural consequence; cause and effect

*turn-taking

*trial and error; pouring and dumping

*prediction