PLAYWORK FOR EARLY YEARS AND CHILD CARE

Playwork for Early Years and Child Care

Playwork for Early Years and Child Care

Introduction

All children are unique. Therefore a childcare workers personality should be specific, they also need to make sure that their daily lesson plan fits the age group and keeps the children's attention, and though the career of child care takes lots of hard work, dedication, and patience it requires little education though it is recommended. Childcare can be a fun experience if you take the time to give it a chance.

Playwork for Early Years & Childcare

As a childcare provider you should make each child's day fun and interesting. Children three and four years old play everything according to themselves where the child makes up the rules. Play on the playground or outside is usually a good idea for children of this age group because it helps to build motor skills, such as hand eye coordination. Therefore all of your lesson plans must in some way let the child express themselves and be the one who decides what will happen, when it will happen, and how. You should also have a philosophy of curriculum which consists on all your beliefs about children and what they need to learn and your own experiences as a child. This will help you to become a better childcare provider. A child learns mainly through play. You may want to make use of children's play to further their language development (maybe through storytelling and playacting games), improve social skills (by taking turns while playing a game), and to introduce science and math skills (through counting blocks or mixing paint colors). Researchers have also proven that play stimulates creativity and imagination, and allows children to expand the horizons of their world.

Playing pretend can do just this. When children pretend they learn that life is full of possibilities and opportunities. Play is usually when a child learns about themselves, others, and their world. The child should also be allowed to have some peer interaction. "Interaction with peers is an important part of a child's early development. Childcare workers often structure opportunities for conversation and discussions. As they teach children to play and work cooperatively with their classmates, they play a vital role in preparing youngsters for school." (Childcare Worker. 2003, pp.15-19)

Snack time is also a very important thing that ties in to a Childs play. Children need snacks that are not only tasty but also healthy and help them to get their vitamins and minerals. Some great snacks for kids are Yogurt, cheese, pudding, fruit and veggies, granola bars, raisins and many others. Helping to keep young children healthy is an important part of any childcare workers job. They must see that children eat healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Since snack time is also very important in a child's life you as a child care provider can make snack time fun by letting the children help to pass out snacks, such as a daily ...