when you observe and document!

   One of the most important things about following a constructivist and emergent approach to early learning is documenting. you must document everything! documenting is such a large part of learning and really helps you to understand what the children are learning and how. ECE's must document all of the little activities children do, so that they can make a record of the child's learning, as well as see potential for a second project or goal within the first one.
         For example, my junior preschoolers were quite interested in glue recently, and so my supervisor gave them some coloured glue to "paint" with. As I was documenting this thoughtful art activity, I wondered, what is it about the glue that made the children so interested. I observed them with how they were playing/creating, and saw that they enjoyed stretching, and spreading the glue. they would carefully let the glue drip, and were watching closely to how it moved. I thought to myself, I wonder if they are interested in the glue because of the consistency of this polymer, and so I got busy making more with them! The children and I made goop with glue and borax, goop with glue and starch, and we played with the sticky gel shapes, as well as absorbing water beads!
        When I took the time to watch and observe a simple activity, it turned into a week long "project" on all types of polymers. The children learned so many things during this project, and if I had just turned away to focus on other planned activities it would not have happened! I of course then documented the entire project, and am making a large board up for the children to reflect on what they learned and did that week. This documenting has led to me observing that many of the children in my class are sensory seeking, and so, I am planning more activities with things that will provide them with those sensory opportunities!
        Observation of the children is key in making a responsive curriculum, it is the way in which we discover just what the children are interested in. When you observe the children closely for instance you may find that what you first thought the children were interested in (glue) may in fact be something different (sensory stimulation). During my journey of learning just how important documenting is, I found this video, that really sums it up quite nicely:

   

         It took me a little time, when my daycare decided to switch over to an emergent approach, to get used to observing and documenting once again. Its easy to get confused over what exactly the children are interested in. Some of our conversations in class really helped me to push myself further, and to really see the children's play for what it truly was, a request to learn. These children who are showing me what they are interested in are just asking to learn. Even with a child who is "misbehaving" I'm much more careful now to observe what he is actually doing, and redirect in a meaningful way, and take the behaviour and turn it into something positive! During my reading I came across another article, that really helped me to remember why I'm observing and documenting, and why its so important, find it here.
     My classroom has a much higher quality curriculum now that I can observe and document in a thoughtful and engaging way, to create meaningful activities that the children, are truly interested in.