Early Childhood Plan -Young Children | Article

EARLY CHILDHOOD PLAN (0-5 Years)
Overview and description:
Young children really are sunk in a world of senses. One can gain much understanding by
trying to attune themselves to the sensory environment nearby the children. That kind of
‘tuning in’ change taking a child for a walk from simply a breath of fresh air into
experiencing fields of colour, sounds and smells; it changes looking at the ceiling to
absorbing a light show of dappled sunlight and shadows.
We can make use of the physical and sensory environment by, for example, how we position
children in relation to shade, light, sound, temperature and colour and making change to suit
the needs of the child. Especially for children who are dependent on adults to move and
position them, we should consider whether they are spending their days in very repetitive
environments with the same colours, range of sounds and smells or whether we have created
enough variation and stimulation.
Key features of play and environment
i) Nature inspires beauty- As we know play natural materials are special treasure to
enhance creativity of the children such as plants, rocks, logs, bark, sticks,
smelling, herbs, shells, pebbles, Knotted logs, Mini pine cones and seed pods etc.
ii) Colour generates interest- New born babies 0-3 years are immersed in world of
senses. They identify most of the things by colour and texture.
iii) Enhance display of play environment By arranging storage materials, eliminating
clutter, and highlighting children’s work classroom becomes great space of joy
iv) Elements highlight atmosphere- Creative use of light is the effective way for
children are able to interact with peers and environment.

Aesthetic and creative features of play environment
While creating play area we focus on following four features:
 Play–based learning
 Open-ended play spaces
 Access to play equipment and
 Natural and open-ended resources
These attribute enhance children’s play experiences, enabling them to show the
Characteristics of Effective Learning (CEL). These features provide excellent settings for the
early years as described by OFSTED guidance.
Play-based learning
The Early Year Foundation Stage EYFS gives emphasis on learning based on play in the
early years, whole area of learning and development need to be designed through a planned,
purposeful way managed and led by adults and child friendly events. Play helps in building
their personality as they gain an understanding to explore and interact with others. Casey, T.
(2007)
Open-ended play spaces
Every child has its own speed of catching particular thing if they are given the freedom to
choose the resources and choice should be at their own level. They must be given freedom
and must not be criticised for not learning a particular task at slow speed.
Access to play equipment
We need to find the requirements and respond to a request and give inspiring resources in a
way that is accessible to the children. Good observation will help in identifying the children’s
interests, where additional resources might improve or extend the play.
Natural and open-ended resources

An ample amount of these resources should be incorporated in play environment, as they are
found to be important in developing effective learning critical thinking and creative. Natural
products such as pebbles, stones, wood logs, shells, flowers, seeds, plants, cones and
branches, long grasses and more are all easily assessable for use indoors and outside. Adding
some ‘loose parts’ such as glass beads, tyres and wheels, washers, nuts and bolts, and small
world people and animals will enhance children’s work with water, sand, mud, compost,
paper shredding, clay, dough or other malleable materials.
Nature and natural materials in play environment
These resources are found to be effective in learning and creative thinking. If you take the
children on regular walks in your locality, and also encourage them to bring objects from
week off days and family walks, these resources can be topped up easily.
Natural features such as herbs and shrubs, long grass, water, stones, logs are excellent method
of gaining many of the benefits from centre of interest, shelter and flexibility (Milchen,
2010). With their visual, tactile and auditory qualities, they can help children to enhance their
creativity and imaginative powers.
Natural features such as bushes, up and down gradient help to give shelter and lessen the
effects of some of the difficulty related to senses children might encounter. They also act as a
landmark that helps children to locate themselves. Natural features are designed to give
children a feeling of privacy while in spaces that can be looked after from a distance. (Tovey,
2007)'