Documentation is the collection of notes, photos and drawings that we make during the course of our work with the children. It serves many purposes; it makes parents aware of their children’s experiences; it allows teachers to better understand the children and to evaluate their own work, to exchange ideas with other educators and to plan future experiences with the children. Documentation also shows the children that their work is valued. Often, reviewing what they’ve done by showing them the photos and reading back to them their own words encourages them to continue and extend that activity. When time allows, we edit the data we’ve collected and make panels. These panels are displayed in various locations at the Children’s Centre. When the parents look at the panels here at the Centre they get an insight into their children’s development in the group context.
By sharing our documentation panels with you it allows you to get a very clear picture of some of the work we do with the children.
Exploration and Creativity.
Exploration and Creativity
“The capacity to explore and create is vital to nurturing the zest for life that is the basis of all learning. Through play, children express their natural curiosity about the world and explore multiple early learning goals simultaneously. Supporting children's explorative play is perhaps the most important - and the most natural and accessible - means to promote meaningful learning in the early years."
~BC Early Learning Framework
Ministry of Education
Learning to use a tape dispenser can be quite a challenge for a 2 1/2 year old. Not only is the tape sticky but there is a sharp cutter on the end of the dispenser which a child needs to navigate without cutting themselves.
On this day Cole was very interested in using the tape dispenser. He tries using scissors to cut the tape off of the roll but the tape sticks to the scissors and to his fingers. He wasn't satisfied with the results.
I showed Cole how to use the tape dispenser. He spent the next 35 minutes exploring the tape dispenser. I was amazed at his determination to figure the tool out. Through trial and error and not being rushed through this experience Cole was successful in mastering the tape dispenser.