Grade R

Practical Ideas
Support For Creating Stimulating Indoor And Out Door
Support For Managing The Learning Programme
Support For Responsive Interaction

Support For Creating Stimulating Indoor And Out Door

Support For Managing The Learning Programme
Support For Responsive Interaction
 Grade R
Practical ideas.

2008
Acknowledgements:

The Department of Education wishes to acknowledge all

the Schools, especially Lewisham Primary School in
Krugersdorp for the photographs used in this document.
Purpose
This document does not replace the National Curriculum Statement, but has
been developed to achieve the following:

• To support the philosophy and principles of the National Curriculum Statement.

• To provide Grade R teachers with an understanding of:
• How 'learning through play' is correctly suited to the development abilities
of Grade R learners;
• How learning outcomes are achieved through play;
• How to create stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments with low
budgets and,
• How the Grade R programme is intended to prepare learners for formal
learning and teaching to be encountered in Grade 1 and higher.

About using the Booklet

The booklet is divided into three sections with the following focus:

1. Creating Stimulating Indoor and Outdoor Learning Environments:

Provides reasons why play is important, ideas on planning and organising the
space and interest areas, choosing, storing and labeling materials, a suggested
list of materials to add to interest areas and possible ways to overcome
challenges.

2. Managing the Daily Programme:

Provides reasons why a daily programme is important, an example of a half day

programme and its segments, the role of teacher in involving learners, an
understanding of the concepts of, and ideas for supporting emergent reading,
writing and numbers, integrating learning areas, observing and assessing
learning, and ways to overcome possible challenges.

3. Responsive Interaction Strategies:

Provides reasons why responsive interaction is important, ways of finding the

right approach, the teacher as a facilitator of learning and teaching, steps to
get started, identifying learning outcomes, benefits to learners and society.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction & Background

Section 2: Support For Creating Stimulating Indoor And Outdoor

Learning Environments

2.1 Why play is important?

2.2 The Indoor Learning Environment

2.2.1 Why indoor planning is important?

2.2.2 Planning the indoor learning environment

2.2.3 Some ideas of materials for activities in

different interest areas

2.2.4 Overcoming practical challenges

2.3 The Outdoor Learning Environment

2.3.1 Why outdoor play is important?

2.3.2 Planning the outdoor learning environment

2.3.3 Overcoming practical challenges:

especially at school based Grade R sites

Section 3: Support For Managing The Learning Programme

3.1 The daily programme

3.1.1 Why a daily programme is important?

3.1.2 Our beliefs about children and teachers

3.1.3 Guidelines for organizing a daily

programme

3.1.4 Ways to actively involve children in the

programme

3.1.5 A note for educators, parents and

communities

Section 4: Support For Responsive Interaction

4.1 Responsive interaction

4.1.1 Why responsive interaction strategies are

important

4.1.2 Finding the right approach

4.1.3 Principles of National Curriculum

Statement (NCS)

4.1.4 Encourage responsiveness in children

Section 5: References
Section 1

Introduction & Background

In keeping with the thrust of transformation in Education, the White Paper 5 on Early
Childhood Development (2001) and the National Curriculum Statement both aspires to
provide quality Grade R programmes to 1 million learners by 2010. One of the strategies to
transform education was through providing training programmes where the notion of 'the
learner as the centre of the learning and teaching situation' was emphasized to align it to
the philosophy and principles as expressed in these documents. However, evidence
gathered by Department of Education officials and scientific research reports reflect that
this teaching practice remains a challenge.

Since 2001 the Department of Education has provided the following training:
• Accredited National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 4
• Some Provinces provided NQF Level 5
• Districts provided continuous training on the National Curriculum Statement as well
as additional support programmes focusing on literacy, numeracy and life skills.
These training programmes aimed to improve the quality of programmes in Grade R
classes while also highlighting the difference between the classroom arrangement,
materials and equipment, and the teaching approach of a Grade R class and higher
grades.

To date there are an estimated 14,000 Grade R classes country wide where Grade R
programmes are provided to approximately 490,000 Grade R learners. However,
monitoring and evaluation reports show evidence that only a small percentage of quality
Grade R programmes could be found in the country.
Also evident in most School Based Grade R classes is the preference of teachers to use an
'instructional' approach. Learners are found seated at tables doing very formal activities
much like a Grade 1 learners.

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Section 2

Support For Creating Stimulating Indoor And Outdoor

Learning Environments
• Have you ever heard or read this popular saying ? 'Play is the work of children.'
• Have you ever sat aside, just watching children play?
• Have you ever seen how serious children are when they play?
• Have you ever seen how they find their own things to play with?
• Have you seen and heard them decide what they are going to play?
• Have you ever noticed how they make their own rules?
• Do you remember doing the same things?
• Do you think there is value in play?

2.1 Why play is important ?

All over the world children play. Famous architects were once children who showed a love
for building and stacking things when they were very young. Famous singers and
dancers first showed their talents when they were children. Many professional and
famous people showed their interest in particular fields when they were very young
children. The successful ones are usually those who were encouraged and supported by
teachers and parents to be spontaneous, to explore and to experiment.

Memories of our own childhood play activities like 'spontaneous hide-and-seek' show us
that we had fun about completing tasks, we were able to control our lives at that moment,
we created and changed rules of the game if everyone agreed. We did all this without
anyone telling us how to play.

If play is spontaneous and chosen by the child, then why do parents and teachers worry
that they are not learning?

Children engage in many types of play based on the development of their thinking,
reasoning, language and social skills. There are different types of play:

Exploratory play:
Children enjoy exploring the properties and functions of materials such as wool, string,
glue or paste, play dough, sand and stones.

Constructive play:
Children enjoy building and making things with blocks, cardboard rolls, scrap wood,
styrofoam, plastic bottles, boxes or tins.

Pretend play:
Children enjoy to pretend and role-play with materials such as dress up clothes, hair
dryers, mirrors, scarves, belts, helmets, bags or suit cases.

Games:
Children enjoy card and board games, and they enjoy using materials to make their own
games such as cards, dice, game counters.

Although these play types differ from each other, they all promote language and
communication, social and physical, thinking and reasoning skills. When grouped
together in this way we see that children are learning in many different ways while they
play.

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 2.2 The Indoor Learning Environment

2.2.1 Why indoor planning is important?

Children have a natural desire to explore their world. A stimulating setting will enable
spontaneous discovery if you prepare their indoor and outdoor environments. Much
thought should go into the organisation of materials and spaces to support children's
learning.

Plan the activities that children enjoy doing:

Plan activities for the children such as painting, drawing, cutting, taking things apart and
putting them back together, talking about what they are doing, building with blocks or
scrap boxes and materials, cutting and pasting, pretending to write, read, be a doctor, a
taxi driver, finding out about things, thinking about how to do things, listening to and
making music.

Plan ways to organise the space, store and label the areas of play, and materials as
suggested below:

2.2.2 Planning the indoor learning environment

• Organize the space:

• Lay out interest areas to provide activities such as block play, art and writing
activities, pretend play, and reading activities.
• Provide space for transition activities such as greeting time, story time and
snack time.

• Storing materials:
• Store materials in the places where they will be used, within reach of the
children, in clear or open containers such as see-through plastic containers,
trays or baskets.

• Label materials:
• Write labels on containers and shelves, using easily understood symbols.
This makes it easy for children to take and return materials on their own.
• Make visual borders to separate the areas by using low shelves, chairs, mats
or carpets, rope, low home-made cardboard screens that children can see over
and be seen.
• Allow enough space in each area for a small group of children to play
comfortably.
• Allow space at children's eye level to display children's own drawings,
paintings or any other work. Provide a space on a small table or low shelf to
display children's own models.
• Constantly change and adapt these spaces throughout the year.
TIP
• During the first and second terms, give
a large space the “pretend areas”,
e.g. house, shop or hairdresser.
• During the third and fourth term, make
the writing area bigger as more
children become interested in writing.
• Draw a plan of your classroom and
think of what you would like to change.
• Draw a second plan to show the
changes you will make.
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Choosing materials
Choose materials that will interest the children. What do children talk about?
Once you know what the children's interests are, choose additional materials that will
extend further learning. For example, children may be talking about the recent petrol
shortage.

You can:
Bring pieces of hose pipe, empty carton rolls, empty oil tins or bottles, and petrol
attendants' uniforms.

Put these in the block area to represent items used at petrol stations for children to play out
real life experiences.

Find items that can be used in a variety of ways.

For example, collect empty carton rolls of different sizes, and put these in the house and
art and block areas and other interest areas.

Choose materials that reflect the children's experiences and cultures. Provide a wide
range of real-life materials, for example, old cake tins, basins, irons, toasters, kettles.

Children love to use real things because these objects enable them to imitate
the roles of adults.

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Store materials in see-through containers, trays, low-cut boxes for children to
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see into them.

• Store materials in the same place to give children a sense of security and
independence. Principle: ‘Children need to become independent and solve problems.
Opportunities are lost if adults choose materials for them.

• Store materials on low level open shelves or in boxes so that children can easily
reach them. Children can then be independent in finding, using and returning the
materials.

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Labeling Materials
• Label the interest areas using print and pictures- e.g. 'Block Area', 'Quiet
Toy Area',Reading Area’
• Label both shelves and containers so that children can find and put
away materials on their own.
• Use labels that children can understand, for example: use real objects,
tracings, drawings or catalogue pictures.

Art area

Label containers with items showing what pieces are inside, e.g. an actual
shoe, or a picture of a shoe. Arrange the containers so that the children can
return things by matching the shoe or the drawing of the shoe.

• Labels help children identify where materials are stored.

• Labels make cleaning-up an easy task.
• All this helps the children to sort, classify, order and match.

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2.2.3 Some ideas of materials for activities in different
interest areas
Materials for two-dimensional representation Materials for mixing and painting
Pencils Powder paint
Pencil crayons Starch for finger painting
Crayons Soap powder
Chalk and chalk boards Jars with lids for storing paints
Khokis Paintbrushes of different sizes
Ink pads and stamps Toothbrushes
Magazines and catalogues Small cake trays
Paper of different textures, sixes, colours Polystyrene trays
Empty carton rolls Yoghurt cups
Stencils Saucers or lids
Sponges
Twigs, aprons, big shirts or
plastic bags

Materials children see at home Materials for pretending

Old clocks Hair salon, barber
Soft chair Doctor’s surgery
Broom and dust pan Farm
Toaster Shop
Old microwave/ old oil stove Doll’s stuffed toys
Suitcase Baby rattles, baby clothes
Cooler bags Bibs
Cake tins Bags
Canisters (use coffee tins) Plastic bottles
Jars Adult size (including men’s and
Dishing up spoons boys’) clothes, hats, scarves,
Plastic bowls and basins caps, helmets
Old radio, old TV (made with box) Badges
Purse and wallets
Mirror
Blankets, sheets, sleeping bags

Materials for pretending in the kitchen Materials for pretending: cooking & cleaning
Child size: Stove, fridge, sink, forks, Adult size Pots, pans, baking trays
knives, teapot Eggbeater
Ice block trays Soup ladel, cake trays, measuring cups
Mixing bowls Flour sieve (for sifting)
Canister set Plates, cups, bowls
Sponges, dish cloths, drying cloths Bottle caps
Plastic vegetables Pine cones
Styrofoam Cereal boxes
Acorns Detergent boxes
Boxes, jars, and bags Shampoo bottles (washed)
Moisturizer jars and bottles

Materials for building, constructing and Materials for matching, sorting, counting,
pretending classifying, sequeneing and threading
Large, medium and small wooden blocks Lego
Building materials Magnifying glass
Cardboard boxes Stackings rings
Shoe boxes Interlocking squares
Sheets, blankets, bedspreads Beads and strings
Wood scraps Picture dominoes
String, rope, Bottle caps and bottles
Old Camera, binoculars Number and matching cards
Old hats, helmets Puzzles
Carpet pieces Magnets
Cardboard roll (toilet, foil) Scales and balances
Old torch Buttons, stones, shells
Measuring tapes, nuts, bolts Lids and tins
Old keys and locks
Materials for reading, looking at and talking
Materials for writing, drawing, creating
about
Paper Storybooks about people, jobs, places,
Used envelopes traditions, cultures
Cardboard Rhymes and verse
Pens, pensils, khokis, crayons Books about shapes, colours, numbers
Stickytape Books in home languages
String Books made by children
Pieces of ribbons Photo albums with photos of the children,
Used wrapping paper their families, the community, classroom
Empty boxes: shoe, cereal, soap outings, special events
Catalogues Puppets
Scissors, stapler Magazines, picture calenders
Picture and writing stencils
Paper punch

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Adding materials to your classroom
The task of adding materials to the interest areas may seem difficult. However, any
teacher in any setting can collect a wide variety of materials through careful
planning.

Planning helps us to think about what we want to add, how will we get the materials,
by when do we want it, and who can help.
Step 1: Look at the materials list (on the previous pages). Tick the items you
would like to add to your classroom. Add to the list by writing in any
materials you have, but are not on the list.
Step 2: Make a list of the materials you would like to add to each area.
Step 3: Make a list of people who can help you collect the materials, for
example, parents and learners, staff, factories, shops, banks, churches,
family members, and friends.
Step 4: Call a parent meeting to explain what you need, and why you want
those materials.
Step 5: Invite parents to help you label and store the materials.
You can build confidence and increase motivation if children are able to choose their own activities
and materials, talk about what they are doing, and share their achievements with others.

2.2.4 Overcoming practical challenges

Challenge Solution
Don’t think: “A Grade R class Ensure that parents and staff understand
needs to look like a Grade 1 that Grade R children are still getting ready
class”. for formal teaching and learning. Learning
through play activities prepares them for
Grade 1.
Don’t despair: “If there are no The whole school development plan has a
materials or equipment and role to play in providing resources for Grade
.
funds to provide a stimulating R classes. The lists provided (earlier in this
environment” booklet) should give you some ideas to start
developing interest areas and gathering
materials.
Don’t worry: “I need to keep Actually, children fight and things break
the materials locked up when there are too few interesting things to
because children fight over play with. Use the lists to add things that the
them and may break them.” children can play with. In this way children
have more interesting things to choose from
which will reduce fighting!
Don’t worry if parents want In Grade R children are still developing pre
their children in Grade R to be reading and writing skills. Teaching reading
able to write and read. and writing is best left to Grade 1 teachers
they are specially trained to do this job.
Don’t assume that children Take one poster at a time and set aside time
are not interested in the for discussion about the poster. Talk about
posters displayed in the class. what they see happening in the pictures.
Add questions to prompt the children’s
thinking.

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2.3 The Outdoor Learning Environment
2.3.1 Why outdoor play is important?

'Young children should be entitled to high quality outdoor learning opportunities.'

(Early-Education U.K. 2001). The outdoor learning environment is like an extension of
the indoor environment. The outdoor space forms an essential part of the Grade R
curriculum. It is therefore just as important as the indoor environment.

?
Do you remember what you loved to do outdoors when you were a
child? What did you do? Whom did you play with? What
equipment and materials did you use ?
Did you dig in the soil, add water and make mud cakes?
Did you play with tins, twigs and stones?
Did you play at mommies and daddies with a piece of wood
wrapped in a cloth for a baby?
Did you lie flat on your tummy following a trail of ants, or did
you run chasing a butterfly?
Do you think children today still like to play in the same way?

Today children still love open spaces where they can run, make a noise, enjoy the sun
and fresh air, and be in contact with nature. The outdoor environment provides plenty
of opportunities for stimulating all types of play. It does not require expensive
equipment and materials.

2.3.2 Planning the outdoor learning environment

There are many ways to plan for outdoor play, but the best way is to watch children's
interests and plan from a child's perspective.

· Plan for 'spur of the moment' events:

Keep materials and equipment that can be used spontaneously, e.g.
boxes containing off-cut materials, an old tape recorder and cassette
tapes with various types of music, home made instruments, scarves and
ribbons for dancing.

· Integrate topic planning:

Integrate indoor topic ideas with outside ideas, e.g. an indoors shop could
be equipped with boxes or spaces outside for 'taxi's', cars or buses, which
can become transport for shoppers.

· Focused plans:
Plan small group activities for outside, with specific learning outcomes.
For example, prepare and provide materials for children to use in the sand
area to convey the concept of light and heavy; or in the water area the
concept of float and sink.

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Games and songs:
Plan learning outcomes for games and songs as they provide many opportunities for
children to learn different attitudes, skills and concepts.
The games should include learning to take turns, sharing, co-operating and working as
part of a group.

While all learners can flourish outdoors, research shows that those children with high
physical abilities (often boys) benefit from quality outdoor activities. Such children may
struggle indoors but ‘shine’ outside where more physical and hands-on experiences are
provided.’ (South Gloucestershire Council)

Organising the space

Divide the space into different play interest areas. There can be spaces for:
• children to run, climb, jump;
• children to play in small groups;
• a quiet place for children who prefer to sit and relax;
• a place for children to experiment (water, sand and science activities); and
• a place for pretend play.

Choosing the materials and equipment

Below is a suggested list of materials and equipment suitable to stimulate a variety of
play types. You may add your own ideas to the list
• Climbing
Climbing equipment, jungle gyms, climbing nets, ladders (rope or step
ladders)
• Balancing
Balancing beams, planks supported by bricks, tyres, see-saw and stilts (could
be made with tins and rope)
• Swinging
Swings, monkey ropes, tyre swings
• Sliding
Slide, ramps, flattened cardboard boxes
• Play inside
Play house, large boxes, tunnels (cement pipes or large drums)
• Sand and water play
Sand pit or sand tray, tins, plastic containers, enamel mugs, pots, pans, cake
pans or trays, funnels, sieves, rice colanders, spoons and jugs
• Water
Bath, basins or water table, plastic bottles, funnels, plastic containers, jugs,
squeeze bottles, sponges, containers with holes, straws and eggbeater or egg
whisks
• Jumping in or over
Skipping ropes, tyres or tubes, old mattress
• Pulling along, pushing and riding
Boxes or plastic crates with a rope to pull along, tyres, tricycles, wheelbarrows
and prams
• Pretend play
Empty paint bucket, adult-size paint brushes, traffic signs and track, steering
wheels of old cars, hats, helmets, adult-size clothes, bags, empty boxes
(cereal and large), tins, plastic containers, sunglasses, binoculars, old
suitcases and cooler bags.

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• Catching, throwing, kicking and hitting
Bean bags, large and small balls, bats, goal posts and hoops
• Building
Blocks, planks, old sheets, small carpets, large and small cardboard boxes,
string, rope, pegs, tyres and tubes.
• Gardening
Pot plants, a small garden patch, container for watering, garden tools and
seeds.
Storing materials
Store materials that need to be carried daily from the place of storage to the outdoors
every day in strong containers such as plastic crates or cardboard boxes. Involve
children in the task of carrying the containers to and from the interest areas.

Labeling containers and materials

Label each container with symbols or pictures so that children return the materials to the
correct containers after use.

Safety is important

Always make sure that the outdoor play area and

equipment is safe and clean.
Inspect all equipment, materials and the playground before children are invited to
play outdoors.

We believe
Play is the work of children. The more opportunities children have to play, the
more they learn.

2.3.3 Overcoming practical challenges : especially at school

based Grade R sites
Challenge Solution
Don’t say: “There is no space for outdoor Where there is no space for outdoor play,you can plan regular visits
play.” to a nearbypark or a big open space near the school.
Arrange with parent to assist with supervision. Take a range of
materials for children to enjoy different types of play.

Don’t let people say: “Outdoor play is not Persuade all staff, parents and SGB’s that outdoor areas are as
really learning, and it is not important.” important in the curriculum as books and pencils. Outdoor
equipment is an investment; it is not an ‘optional extra’.

Separate the little ones: Grade R learners Adapt your programme so that Grade R learners are outside at
should have play breaks at different times. different times from older learners.

Don’t accept: “There is no dedicated area The whole school development plan should have a long-term strategy
for a Grade R outdoor area.” for Grade R learners to learn outdoors in accessible and well
resourced outdoor areas. In the meantime, you can arrange activities
in small spaces.

Don’t complain: “There are no funds to Limited funds should not stop you from creating a stimulating
buy equipment.” outdoor area. You can do a lot with few resources.
Plan for the things you can collect with the help of parents and
the community. Plan for fund-raising events.

Take care: “Vandalism continues to be a Appeal to the whole school community to safeguard your
problem.” resources and facilities.

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Notes

13
Section 3

SUPPORT FOR MANAGING THE LEARNING

PROGRAMME
'What are we going to do?’
'When can I go to the toilet?’
'What will happen after we eat?’
'When will we go outside?'

Children ask these questions all the time. A consistent daily programme helps them to
know what will happen throughout the day.

3.1 The daily programme

3.1.1 Why is a daily programme important?

This section makes suggestions for activities during the day.

It is important to structure each day. This determines what kinds of interactions children
have with their classmates and with the teacher during specific times. A well-structured
daily programme, with time blocks, ensures that:

· Children develop a sense of safety and security.

· Children know 'what will happen next' and can prepare themselves for the next
activity.

· Children's needs are catered for, including those with special needs.

· Children spend their time on stimulating and challenging learning experiences,

and teachers can spend more time with them.

· Teachers can prepare children for unexpected changes such as visitors,

weather conditions, education trips, and special events or traditions.

· Teachers are able to put into practice the values and educational
philosophy of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS).

3.1.2 Our beliefs about children and teachers

Foundation Phase teachers understand the needs of very young children. From birth
through to six years of age, children have cognitive, intellectual, social, emotional and
physical developmental needs and capabilities. These needs differ from children in
higher grades.

For this reason, the programme structure, the types of activities we prepare, the teaching
and learning styles we use, the way we arrange the learning space, and the assessment
methods we use, are different from those for older children.

Early childhood programmes focus on shared and responsive interaction between

children and teachers, and between children and their peers.

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The National Curriculum Statement (NCS) is based on the belief that children learn best:

• when they follow their own interests,

• when they work with a variety of materials,
• when they are free to express their thoughts and ideas,
• when they have supportive teachers.

Teachers are practising this belief when they design a daily programme that creates a
balance between teacher-initiated activities and child-initiated activities, within a flexible
yet structured manner.

Beliefs about how children learn:

As an ECD person yourself, you will, without
any doubt agree with this statement from
education experts in New Zealand:

• 'Through exploration, children learn

useful and appropriate ways to find
out what they want to know and begin
to understand their own individual
ways of learning and being creative.
• These experiences enhance the
child's sense of self-worth, identity,
confidence, and enjoyment.

Exploration involves actively learning with others as well as independently, and helps to
extend children's purposeful and enjoyable relationships.’

(Te Whariki Early Childhood Curriculum, Ministry of Education, New Zealand).

3.1.3 Guidelines for organising a daily programme

By using the following guidelines as a checklist you can create and maintain a daily
programme that works well at your site. Check that:

ü
There is a variety of 'learning segments' to provide children with a variety of
experiences and interactions. These learning segments include small and large group
times, eating, rest and toilet times, outside time, and transition times.

ü
Learning segments happen in a predictable sequence that meets the needs of the
children and the site. For example, breakfast may be served regularly, but children
using scholar transport often arrive late.

ü
Experiences take place in a suitable physical environment.

ü
Each learning segment involves children engaging actively in learning experiences in
a stimulating learning environment.

ü
Transitions and routines flow smoothly from one activity to the next.

The parts of the daily programme are like paving blocks along a path. In each activity
block, there is a learning activity or routine – such as times for children to participate in
group activities, routines for eating, toilet and rest times, and play outside.

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The daily programme provides:
• A framework for children to do a variety of interesting activities
throughout the day.
• A daily programme that is supportive

• Supports children's initiative:

Children explore a variety of materials. They can express their ideas and
interact responsively with teachers throughout the day.

• Supports children's social experiences:

Children experience and develop social relationships with teachers and peers in
a safe and purposeful environment.

• Supports the values of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS):

Children have the freedom to engage in play activities of their choice.
They learn to do things for themselves, take responsibility and cooperate with
others within a structured programme framework.

• Supports the education goals of the NCS:

Children learn literacy, numeracy and life skills in an integrated way and through
the variety of materials and activities offered through out the day.

'… Learning can result from play and exploration and paves the way for later
academic learning.' (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation)

Young children develop the necessary skills for reading, writing and working with numbers
in the home, community and pre-school environments.

Here is a birthday chart showing birthday months and photos of children.

This promotes an interest in early reading and numeracy.

• Give children a personal symbol to

encourage decoding (bears, stars,
flower).

• Use children’s symbols, as well as their

names, on birthday charts, group
chart, their art work, and on their
lockers.

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Emergent Literacy – Reading

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Children begin to make a connection between a word for an object through
their actual experience with materials such as household objects, dressing up
clothes, art materials, water and sand play materials.

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Children learn to make sense of the lines and curves of the letters that make
up the alphabet. They do this by decoding simple recognizable symbols
through their actual experiences with photos, posters, pictures, drawings and
symbols.

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Children learn to recognize print through many forms of print, e.g. books,
magazines, signs and labels.

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Children build the desire to read by seeing significant adults read, e.g.
teachers reading stories to them, parents reading newspapers or magazines.

Remember: Label materials and interest areas to provide more experiences for exploring
with symbols.

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 Emergent Literacy – Writing

Children manipulate interesting objects such as crayons, pens, pencils,

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threading boards, and paint brushes. These activities help strengthen small-
muscle coordination needed to hold writing tools.

Children have a natural inclination to write. This usually happens before they
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show an urge to read.

Children see adults communicate through writing throughout the day. They see
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teachers writing observation notes, notes to parents, filling in record keeping
books, writing reminders, and writing down children's words on their art work.

Children identify their scribbles that progressively develop into letter-like forms
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as 'writing'.

Some children begin to invent their own words using real letters and real words,
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e.g. 'I luv u”.

Understand and accept whatever form children's writing take.

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Offer to write down children's words on their work. See below.
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Teacher asks: “ What is your drawing about, Themba?”

Themba replies: “This is a space ship traveling through the air.”

Teacher writes Themba's words on Themba's picture.

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Emergent Numeracy - Numbers

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Children frequently refer to numbers in their play
('two babies', 'ten chairs', 'one cup').
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Children often refer to quantities of volume or weight in their play
(lots, big, few, more, just a little, huge, heavy).
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Children are frequently counting (the number of lines they drew, or dots
made on a page, pegs they fit into a pegboard).
?
Children often compare the number of things they have
('you have more blocks than me', 'I only have a little glue', 'can you give me
some of your beads').

Listen to how children use number concepts.

?
Support children's emerging numerical skills.
?
Encourage these natural opportunities to further explore numbers.
?

Try to provide a variety of interesting materials for children to explore with numbers.
Include a variety of sizes, shapes and texture.

Remember: The role of the teacher is to facilitate children's 'learning how to learn’
rather than to directly teach them facts.

19
Example: Half-day programme showing what children and teachers do during
each segment

(This programme excludes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks and rest
time segments catered for in full day programmes).
Time and sequence What children do What teachers do

Children arrive and pack away Welcome children.

Arrival time their bags. Gather together
15 – 30 minutes
on carpet or chairs set in a
circle.

Children answer questions Run a quick head to toe

Health check about any health problems, check of each child.
10 minutes
e.g. they show ‘band-aids’ Keep a health record of any
over any cuts, bruises. signs of illness observed or
medication given. Refer cases
that need attention.

Children participate in activity Introduce new materials,

Morning circle presented. ideas, song or rhyme,
10 to 15 minutes
announcements, concepts or
skills.

Children choose what to do, Provide stimulating materials

Work time interacting with materials in and challenging activities.
45 to 55 minutes the interest area of their Observe, interact, join in,
choice. support and assist children.

6 to 8 children meet with Present special activity, e.g.

Small group time teacher to engage in a working with numbers,
10 to 15 minutes during particular activity planned by experimenting with materials
Work Time the teacher on a mat or round or use materials and objects
a table. to solve problems.

Children pack away materials Join children in packing

Tidy up time and equipment. materials and equipment
10 minutes away.

Provide clean water and

Hand washing Children wash their hands. towels.
5 minutes
Snack time Children enjoy morning snack. Talk to children about what
10 to 15 minutes they did during work time.

Prepare room for next

activity.

Music and Children participate in music Present music and movement

and movement activities. activities.
movement ring
15 to 20 minutes
Children enjoy energetic, Join in children’s play, talk to
Outdoor play noisy, physical play. children, and assist where
needed.
20 to 30 minutes

Hand washing and Supervise routine.

Children go to the toilet then
toilet time wash their hands.
15 minutes

Story time Children listen to and Engage children in story

10 to 15 minutes participate in storytelling. being told, ask responsive
Children share own stories or questions, allow children to
work completed during work be actively involved in the
time. story.

See: Support for Responsive Interaction Strategies

20
3.1.4 Ways to actively involve children in the programme

1. The daily programme chart

· Make a daily programme chart with the name of each segment.

· Add a picture to illustrate the segment.
· Display the chart low enough for children to reach.
· Ask a child to point to the segment indicating the next activity.

2. Arrival time

· Divide total number of children into small groups of 6 to 8.

· Prepare name cards for children.
· Mark name cards to match small groupings (red, blue, yellow, green).
· Place all the name cards on a table close to the entrance door.
· Have children find their name and place it in a matching container.
· During greeting time bring unplaced cards to the ring.
· Have children identify the names of children who have not yet arrived.

3. Transition times

· Minimize waiting periods.

· Start the next activity when most of the children are ready.
· Allow others to join in as they finish what they are doing.

4. Work time

· Set up interesting and stimulating interest areas.

· Let children choose where they want to play.
· Limit the number of children playing in an area. Negotiate with them to choose
a second favourite area until enough space becomes available.
· Allow children to follow their natural tendency to move materials from one area
to another, but put limits to the quantity they move especially if it disrupts the
play of others.
· Avoid disrupting children's work time to test them. Use small group time to
focus on assessment of children's competencies in specific learning situations.
· Avoid solving children's conflicts. Talk children through the situation and let
them come up with a solution to the conflict.
· Assess the popularity and use of materials in the interest areas. Add
interesting items to attract children to areas less used.

5. Clean up time

· Give children a five minutes warning before the end of work time.
· Sing a clean up song when the five minutes are over: 'It's clean up time, clean
up time. We all join in to clean up.'

‘
When children know what to expect it gives them a sense of security and control.’

Children work together to clean up after play and before moving to the next activity.

21
6. Small group time (Teacher-initiated)

An opportunity for children to come together in small groups to experience

new skills, new ideas, build new knowledge, share ideas, and learn from each
other.

Beginning

Initiate a special activity for a small group of 6 -8 children. For

example, show them how to paint with string.
Meet with children in a special place – on the floor or round a table.
Provide enough materials and extras for 6 -8 children to use.
Briefly introduce the materials and technique.

Middle

· Allow children to explore and experiment with materials in their own way.
· Encourage children to make choices and decisions about how to use the
materials, and describe in their own words what they are doing.
· Observe children, join in, and offer support to children.
· Comment briefly on what you see individual children doing:
'John you are using three colours, that looks interesting.'
· Refer children to each other to solve problems.

Mpumi: 'I want to make circles but it keeps coming straight.'

Teacher: 'See how Mary is moving her string round and round in the center
of the page.’
End
· Explain to children that materials will be available the next day for further use.
· Show them where the materials will be stored.
· Engage children in cleaning-up.

22
[Link] Group Time (Teacher initiated)
A time for children to work together in a large group to learn in a fun way, experiencing
social interaction with peers and the teacher and learning social skills.

· Group comes together for singing, music and movement activities,

storytelling and dramatizing of stories or events.
· Initiate ideas: 'Today we are going to move like big and small animals….'
· Encourage children to offer ideas. 'Refilwe says we can walk like big fat
elephants. Let's follow her as she shows us how to walk like a big elephant'.

· Encourage turn taking. 'Now its Judy's turn. She wants to show us how a
duck walks.' “Is a duck a big or small animal?'
· Use these opportunities to emphasise learning content, e.g. big and small.
'Refilwe showed us how a big elephant walks. 'Judy showed us how a
small duck walks'. 'So we have big and small'. 'Is there another big animal
you can think of'?

When we understand the differences of development and capabilities between young

children aged birth to six years and older children, we begin to understand the need for a
different approach in the way we engage young children in learning experiences.

It is useful to know that:

? Cognitive and intellectual skills are not the only skills children need to succeed at
school. Social, emotional, and physical skills are just as important.
? The cognitive, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical skills and abilities
needed for children to succeed at school are achieved through play.
? Children experience important social and emotional abilities such as getting
along with one another, taking turns, being patient, making new friends,
sharing, taking responsibility for actions, expressing feelings, understanding
the feelings of others, solving problems and conflicts.
? Children need to be free to move around the room – to sit on the floor, carpet,
or pillows as they engage in activities.
? Children need to be free to play outdoors – to run, climb, skip and jump.
? Children express their creativity through music and music activities.
? Children strengthen their small and large muscle coordination, control of body and
understanding of spatial relations through a range of activities.
? These learning opportunities lay the foundation for further successful learning and
social relations.

3.1.5 A note for educators, parents and communities

Play is the work of children. Through a variety of activities and routines, children are
being prepared for more than just the next grade; they are being prepared for life-long
success.

23
Notes

24
Section 4

4. SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIVE INTERACTION

John is sitting at a table drawing. His drawing is a selection of colours, straight and
curved lines. The teacher watches John, then moves closer to him. She is unsure of what
to do or say. Should she say something like: 'Good work, John, beautiful drawing.'
Should she ask him questions like 'Tell me about the colours and shapes in your
drawing?' Should she ask John 'Tell me about your drawing' Or should she wait for him
to talk about his drawing without prompting?

Have you, just like John's teacher, ever felt that you are never quite sure of what to say, or
what to do when children are involved in activities?

4.1 Responsive Interaction

4.1.1 Why responsive interaction strategies are important

What teachers and parents believe about learning and teaching directly affects both their
own actions and the children's actions.

When adults are friendly, warm, encouraging, and attentive to individuals and small
groups, when they relate in a non-directive way with large groups, and when they
encourage children to make decisions, children are more likely to achieve the following:

- exhibit high 'task' involvement,

- language comprehension,
- social participation,
- constructive use of materials,
- spontaneity,
- creativity,
- sympathy, and
- independence.

Yet many teachers are unsure of how to interact with children when they are busy with
activities. Some teachers avoid interacting with children when they are busy drawing,
painting, cutting and pasting, building, fitting puzzles, or reading books.

Very often teachers think: The children are busy and don't need me. Anyway, what would
I say?'

Other teachers understand the need to support children while they are busy, but are
uncertain about how to start and carry on with the interaction. Too unsure of themselves
to interact naturally with children, these teachers often fall into dull patterns. They always
ask the same kind of questions, too many questions, or automatically praise everything
children make or do.

It is important for teachers to understand how children learn and how this affects their
relations with children. For example, a teacher who believes that childrenlearn mostly by
listening and by following instructions would probably manage and instruct children
during activities.

25
On the other hand, a teacher who believes that children learn best on their own, would
probably withdraw from children while they are busy, while the teacher continues with
his/her own everyday work.

But teachers who believe that children learn best through the active involvement of
choosing their own materials, using the materials in their own way, and talking about
what they are doing, find it easy to engage in meaningful conversation with children.

4.1.2 Finding the right approach

Facilitating children's learning is key to creating responsive and supportive learning
experiences for children.

Every day, teachers plan activities to 'teach' children new information or skills, e.g. new
information or skills about numbers, colours or shape concepts; or new information on
specific topics such as people and their professions, transport, animals or events such
as traditional holidays.

However, 'the way we engage with children in learning situations' is of utmost

importance, as this shows our beliefs about how children learn. Let's look at two
approaches namely, the instructor and the facilitator.

The teacher as an instructor

If a teacher 'instructs and manages' children's learning, s/he runs the risk of taking away
their creativity, independent thinking, problem-solving skills, and the sense of
exploration and curiosity.

In this approach the teacher ignores the contributions of children when introducing new
information or skills to be learnt. This teacher assumes that children have no prior
knowledge or experiences of the new topics or skills. This teacher also believes that
children must be silent and follow instructions. Here the teacher is more interested in
the 'end product' rather than the 'process' of learning.

Story of teacher as an instructor

It is nearing Easter time, and teacher Zodwa has planned for the children to
make ‘Easter bunny cards’.

Teacher Zodwa supplies the children with perfect circles she cut out for the
bunny’s body, cotton wool for the tail, small black round circles for the eyes,
two white rectangles for the teeth and pieces of wool for the moustache?

She gives the children clear instructions about what to place where. The
children remain silent as they carefully follow her instructions. They are too
afraid to make a mistake.

Teacher Zodwa is pleased to see all the cards look alike. The children are
very happy the activity is over and run off to play outside.

How much do you think these children learned?

26
The teacher as a facilitator
This approach shows a balance between the contributions from children and the
teacher. The teacher 'facilitates' children's learning by respecting the children's own
knowledge and experiences. The teacher welcomes the contributions of children
when introducing new information or topics. Here the teacher is interested in the
'process' of learning rather than the 'end product'.

Story of teacher as a facilitator

Teacher Belinda has also planned to make Easter bunny cards.

For the activity, the teacher – together with the children and parents –
collected a variety of shiny paper (sweets, chocolate, gift wrap), non-shiny
paper, pieces of wool, small buttons, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, pairs of
scissors, glue and straws.

Teacher Belinda sets up two tables, arranges the materials on the tables and
invites eight children to join her. She reminds the eight children of their
morning ring discussion about Easter and the plan for them to make Easter
cards for their parents. They discuss the materials set out on the table, the
main features of a bunny before getting started with the activity.

The children speak to each other about what they are doing. Teacher
Belinda sits listening and waits for the right moment to join in their
conversations. She makes notes about what she hears children saying and
what she saw them doing.

At the end of the activity the children are very excited about their Easter
bunny cards. They continue to talk about their cards. Teacher Belinda is
very happy to see the variety of cards made by the children.

How much fun do you think these children had?

Facilitating children's learning happens throughout the day and in all aspects of the
daily programme.

27
Compare teachers as 'facilitators' and 'instructors'
The situations below take us through a typical day in a Grade R class. Situation 1
demonstrates the teacher as facilitator, and situation 2 shows the teacher as instructor.

In Situation 1: In Situation 2:
The teacher planned to ‘initiate The teacher planned to ‘teach the
discussions’ about the national flag. children’ about the national flag.

This is how the day went

Situation 1 Situation 2
Morning ring: Children gathered on Morning ring: There is no morning ring.
mat. Teacher engages children in Children sit at tables singing songs while
discussion. teacher hands out photocopy picture of
flag for colouring-in, red, blue, green,
T: I have a very important song I would yellow and black crayons.
like you to sing along with me. It is
about South Africa. They sing it when T: Today we are going to make a flag
there are big national rugby, cricket or like this (holds up a picture to show).
soccer games. All the countries sing
their own one before the games begin. T: Now the flag has different colours.

T: Can anyone tell me which song they T: Asks children ‘What colour is this?
think I am speaking about? as she points to each colour.
C: Yes miss, yes miss! (Children name C: Red.
all kinds of songs.)
T: And this?
T: It sounds something like this (Hums C: Green.
‘Nkosi Sikelel’ i-Afrika’.)
C: It is Kosi sekeleli … T: And this?
C: Yellow.
T: Yes, it is Nkosi Sikelel’ i-Afrika, and it
is our National Anthem. She continues until all the colours have
been mentioned.
T: Now I have something in this box. It
is made of cloth; it has red, blue, white, T: Now I want you to colour-in the
green, yellow and black colours. When it picture in front of you. You must colour
hangs up everyone knows that it means your picture just like the one I am
South Africa. Who can guess what it is? keeping in my hand. I am going to stick
There is always one hanging at the police it on the board.
station.
C: A flag, a flag! Teacher then walks between tables

28
Situation 1 Situation 2
Morning ring: Children gathered on Morning ring: There is no morning ring.
mat. Teacher engages children in Children sit at tables singing songs while
discussion. teacher hands out photocopy picture of
flag for colouring-in, red, blue, green,
T: I have a very important song I would yellow and black crayons.
like you to sing along with me. It is
about South Africa. They sing it when T: Today we are going to make a flag
there are big national rugby, cricket or like this (holds up a picture to show).
soccer games. All the countries sing
their own one before the games begin. T: Now the flag has different colours.

T: Can anyone tell me which song they T: Asks children ‘What colour is this? ’
think I am speaking about? as she points to each colour.
C: Yes miss, yes miss! (Children name C: Red.
all kinds of songs.)
T: And this?
T: It sounds something like this (Hums C: Green.
‘Nkosi Sikelel’ i-Afrika’.)
C: It is Kosi sekeleli … T: And this?
C: Yellow.
T: Yes, it is Nkosi Sikelel’ i-Afrika, and it
is our National Anthem. She continues until all the colours have
been mentioned.
T: Now I have something in this box. It
is made of cloth; it has red, blue, white, T: Now I want you to colour-in the
green, yellow and black colours. When it picture in front of you. You must colour
hangs up everyone knows that it means your picture just like the one I am
South Africa. Who can guess what it is? keeping in my hand. I am going to stick
There is always one hanging at the police it on the board.
station.
C: A flag, a flag! Teacher then walks between tables
correcting children’s work.
T: Yes. It is our country’s flag. It is our
national symbol. Let’s open the box and T: No, Busi, that part must be red not
take it out. green. Look properly at the picture!
C: Yeeh, where can we keep it?
T: Hands Busi a clean copy and tells her
T: I was thinking of hanging it up across to do it over.
the board for all to see. If you like you
can paint, draw or colour in your own At the end of the session all the flags
flag in the art area. look the same.
I also added some pictures of the flag
in the Book Area, small flags in the Block
Area, and small ornaments with the flag
on it in the Pretend Area.

29
Snack Time Snack Time

Teacher invites children to have their Teacher tells girls to fetch their snack
snack. first, followed by the boys.

T: I saw some of you made some T: Stop talking and eat your snack.
interesting flags. Children sit quietly at tables.

Children start telling teacher about the

flags they made.

Music Time Music Time

Children gather in a large circle. Children sit at tables on chairs.

T: Let’s try singing our national anthem T: Come everyone, what can we sing.
‘Nkosi Sikelel’ i-Afrika’. C: Can we sing ‘Down in the jungle’?
T: Can we pretend to be flags blowing in
the wind? T: No, Dineo, every day you want to
C: Yes, like this. sing ‘Down in the jungle’.

T: Okay, Thabo, let’s move like this T: Joseph, what can we sing?
C: Can we blow like in a storm, fast like J: Five little elephants.
this?
T: Tumi wants us to blow fast like in a T: Vuyo, Willie, Tracy, Peter and Sam
storm! Come on everyone let’s blow come here. You are the elephants. All
fast. the others you sing loud. Louder I can’t
T: Now let’s blow very slowly and think hear you!
about the colours you saw in the flag.

As children name the colours, the

teacher invites them to look at the flag
hanging on the board to make sure all
the colours were mentioned.

T: Who has seen our national flag

hanging at the police station?
C: Me, me, me!

T: Do you know how it stays in the air?

C: Some say ‘Yes’, some say ‘No’.

T: Let’s look at this picture to see, shall

we?
C: ‘It is on a pole with ropes to make it
go up and down’, says Peter.

30
 Story Time Story time

Teacher gathers children in a circle on There is no story time.

mat. They join teacher in singing ‘‘Nkosi
Sikelel’ i-Afrika’. Children sit quietly on the mat while the
teacher puts children’s colour-in flags in
T: Today, instead of our usual story, you their portfolio files.
are invited to come and tell us a story
about the flag you made this morning.
Tumi: I am going to tell a story about
my flag I painted!

T: Very well, Tumi, you go first.

4.1.3 Principles of National Curriculum Statement (NCS)

Guided by the philosophy of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS), we believe that
children learn best through their active involvement with people, places, things, ideas,
and events. The role of the teacher is to provide interactive and responsive learning
experiences for children throughout the day.

Teachers encourage children's creativity, independence, problem-solving abilities and

their need to experiment when they move away from directing or instructing children on
how to do things.

Eight Responsive interactions strategies

1. A supportive environment:

Provide a variety of interest areas such as block play, quiet play, painting, and
book and pretend play.

2. Sharing management:

Teachers and children work together as partners. Children are in charge of

their own decisions such as where to play, how to play, what to play with, and
with whom to play. Teachers are in charge of adult decisions such as
managing the daily programme, planning group activities and ensuring
children's safety.

3. Offer comfort and closeness:

Be aware of children who need comforting by offering a reassuring hand to

hold, a hug, a lap to sit on, or just a comforting word.

4. Help children resolve conflict:

Engage children in a process of solving problems and conflicts.

31
5. Take part in children's play:

Join in a child or children's play at their physical level, either by invitation

from children or for the opportunity to connect with them. Follow children's
guidance, and take on the role they suggest. Jody is pretending to be a
nurse at a clinic injecting the babies: 'Teacher, teacher, bring your baby,
come sit. You must get your prick'.

6. Ask open-ended questions:

Ask questions that encourage problem-solving skills, e.g. 'What do you think
will happen if you stack the blocks higher?' 'How many more boxes do you
think you need to pack in the row to make your long train?'

7. Observe, listen and make notes:

Spend more time observing, listening and making notes. Watch carefully to
understand the thought processes of children before asking questions or
making comments. Avoid asking too many questions. This may take the fun
out of the activity.

8. Talk to children as partners:

Talk to children in a natural way about what they are doing. Encourage the
conversation to continue without forcing the child for answers. Make objective
(real) comments that encourage children to expand their descriptive language
and think about what they are doing.

Tips for interacting responsively

? Acknowledge
In the Art area, the teacher observes Thembi carrying her
children’s efforts.
wet painting to the drawing table. At the drawing table she
draws curved red and yellow lines. Thembi fetches a pair
? Ask questions to
of scissors and cuts out around the lines she drew. She
encourage children
takes her cut-out to the pasting table, spreads glue at the
to tell you about
back of it, then sticks it in the right hand corner on the
what they are
page of her drawing, and takes it outside to dry. The
doing.
teacher walks toward her where she is putting her picture
to dry.
? Listen to what you
hear children say
Teacher: I see you are hanging your paper to
and see them do.
dry, Tembi! You were quite busy in
the art area.
? Repeat what
Thembi: Yes, I made a picture.
children say. Then
Teacher: You made a picture , and what is
make a comment
your picture about?
or ask a meaningful
Thembi: It is a burning building.
question.
Teacher: A burning building? Hmm, I see, so
what part of the building is burning,
then?

Avoid this !

Don’t assume what you think they did.

Teacher: Oh Ruby, I see you painted a house!

Child: It’s not a house, it’s my church where I go to on Sunday!

32
Steps to get started

If a responsive interaction approach is new to you, then here is one way to get started.

1. Ensure that the learning environment has been set up as suggested in the
section on support for creating indoor and outdoor learning environment.

2. Scan the interest areas and check what children have chosen to do.

3. While you are scanning, look for specific types of play:

• Who is exploring, manipulating, trying out something?

• Who is constructing or making something?
• Who is pretending, role-playing?
• Who is playing some sort of game?

4. While you are scanning the interest areas, decide on:

• Whom to interact with, and how?

• What play type you would like to support, e.g. reading in the Book Area;
building in the Block Area; or role-play in the Pretend Area?

5. While scanning the interest areas think about:

Learning experiences that may be happening (number, classification, language,

movement).
Efforts that need to be encouraged e.g. a child 'reading' on her own, a child battling
to stick boxes together

In the house area Aruna is setting a table with four plates and spoons. ‘ I’m waiting
for Sam, Lily, Jabu and Mary to come and eat.’

Learning outcomes achieved: Numeracy – ‘one-to-one correspondence’

6. Choose children to observe. You might see:

• A child finding it difficult to start an activity on his/her own.

• A child calling for help.
• A child enjoying what he is doing.
• A child not doing anything.
• A child taking the lead and involving others in a game.
• Children inviting you to join their play.
• A child or children calling you to handle a dispute.

33
7. Take notes. Write down the child's name and key words about specific
things the child did or said during the day. Use these notes to assess
learning outcomes. See the example below:

Activity Learning outcome:

In the House Area, Jacob is rolling a Thinking and Reasoning
piece of play dough he brought from (LO5)
the art area.
The leaner is able to use
C: I am making a pizza. It is going to language to think and reason,
be a big pizza. as well as to access, process
and use information for
learning.

Assessment Standard:

?
Understands concepts and
some vocabulary relating to
size.

Activity Learning outcome:

In the Book Area, Thabo is pointing to Reading and viewing
pictures in a book and reading.
The learner is able to read and
C: First Papa bear, then Mama bear, view for information for
and last Baby bear. enjoyment, and respond
critically to the aesthetic,
cultural and emotional values
in texts.

Assessment Standard:

?
Reads picture books.

34
4.1.4 Encourage responsiveness in children
Support children and encourage them to be responsive. Children need support in
developing their emotional and social needs and abilities.

Conflict and violence have become a topic that crops up often, and is of great concern
in the education arena. Teachers working in early learning settings, who adopt a
responsive interaction style, can make a huge contribution towards reducing violent
behaviour.

However, while responsive interaction styles are an important aspect of developing

cognitive, intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs of children, it is probably the
most difficult style to master.

To adopt a responsive style, start by carefully analyzing the ways in which you interact
with children. Many teachers, who have analysed their interactions with children, are
often surprised to find out:

?How often they 'talk at' children without listening to them.

?How often they 'manage' children's activities without joining them.

?How often they 'jump in and take over' when children are in conflict, rather than
help children to work out a solution to the conflict.

On the good side, teachers who have learned to be interactive and responsive have
reported significant changes in the behaviour of the children and the management of their
class.

When teachers use a responsive approach to children's needs, children are inclined to
adopt a similar technique. Children are being responsive when:

They interact positively with their peers.

?
They freely express how they feel.
?
They confidently initiate their own ideas.
?
They copy the caring style of their teachers.
?
They understand the feelings of others.
?
They begin to show an understanding of sharing space, sharing materials,
?
teacher's time with others, taking turns and following rules.
They treat materials and others with respect.
?
They trust their own decisions and the decisions of others, and take responsibility
?
for their actions.
They are confident that their teachers will be supportive.
?

Nurturing children to grow into socially accepting and responsible citizens is probably
the greatest contribution that teachers can make towards building a peaceful society.

35
Notes

36
5. References

Books

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation (1996)

Supporting Young Learners 2:
Ideas for Child Care Providers and Teachers, USA

Training Manuals

Department of Education (2002) National Curriculum Statement Grades

R-9, Pretoria

Department of Education (2004/5) Facilitating Creative Art Activities in

ECD Programmes Pretoria

US Department of Education and the US Department of Health and

Human Sciences, Teaching our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool
Teachers and Child Care and Family Providers

Report

Juma, A. (2004) Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood: Improving

Practices in Early Childhood Classrooms in Pakistan: issues and
challenges from the field:, Volume 5, Number 3, Aga Khan University,
Parkistan

Journals

Hansen, C.C. and Zambo, D (2007) Early Childhood Education

Journal:
Loving and Learning with Wemberly and David: Fostering Emotional
Development in Early Childhood Education, Vol 34. No 4

37
Websites

Hampshire County Council: Foundation Stage Journal Issue 2,

Independence in the Learning Environment
[Link]

Queensland Studies Authority (2006) Reflecting on my teaching practices:

Early Years Curriculum Materials, The State of Queensland
[Link]

High/Scope Research Foundation (2007) Adult-Child Interaction

[Link]

Ladders to Literacy Outreach (2007) A Preschool Activity Book

[Link]

National Association For the Education of Young Children (2003) The

Essentials
of Early Literacy Instruction, USA
[Link]/resources/journal

Stoecklin, V.L. and White, R. (2007) Designing Quality Child Care

Facilities
[Link]

38
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