How to bring ZEN to Early Years
Our children have been through so much over the past few months & they need time and space to reconnect, build relationships & feel secure
again. That inner sense of calm!
Quiet and tranquil play spaces in which they are free to play, to ponder & tinker. To use play as a way to understand thinking & feelings.
To build resilience, emotional intelligence, well being & inner strength.
No predetermined ideas, outcomes - just time to BE !
To PLAY & let the process resonate head, heart & hands & as we like to extend to touch their SOUL
First Inspired by Kinderoo Academy who are part of our Accreditation we were motivated to create our own Sand Atelier.
To research the idea behind sand therapy and sand play, which are two techniques and philosophies to aid children who have experienced trauma. Assisting
non verbal communication & expression ( hundred languages) through play.
We also extended our research & looked to the ancient Buddhist philosophy of a zen garden and how tending such a place offers calm and meditation.
At The Curiosity Approach we discuss Zen on many occasions & feel that in Early years it’s overlooked as an opportunity to connect on various levels.
What is Zen? It’s both something we are—our true nature expressing itself moment by moment—and something we do
It’s that ability & opportunity to slow down & connect to elements of nature
It’s that deep consciousness that connects us to ourselves and our potential. The Essence of who we truly are ! ( surely this is our soul?)
As the Australian Early Childhood Framework tells us
‘Belonging, Being & Becoming’
So our ‘sand atelier or indoor ‘Zen garden’ was created, a space to aid & ease transition. A place to soothe an anxious child. A room in which
quiet sand play can be used as opportunities for therapeutic expression and assist in the well being of the children we serve.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/therapy-types/sandplay-therapy
#sand #sandtherapy #sandplay #zen #rockgarden #earlyyears #wellbeing #mentalwellness #calmness #transition #soulful #soul #belonging #being #becoming
#steiner #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation #ECE #peace
Benefits of our sand atelier
Allowing children to play at various levels promotes gross motor skills & physical development.
It helps develop balance, core strength & coordination. Children become deeply engaged when they have the freedom, space and autonomy to move.
They develop many essential skills -
“ℂ𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕚𝕕𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖 - is an important developmental skill which is a prerequisite for tasks such as writing or putting on shoes and
socks with both hands
𝔹𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕤𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕤 - using both sides of the body at the same time
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕟𝕜 𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟
The muscles of the trunk that helps to stabilising the body so the arms and legs can be moved with control.
ℍ𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖: The consistent use of one hand or foot most often that allows refine movement control to develop.”
𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓼𝓴, 𝔀𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓻!
We often get asked “what do your settings look like at the end of the day? “
At Curiosity Approach settings we respect the environment as the ‘third teacher.’
We tidy and pick up resources throughout the day!
As we step over an abandoned resource, educators pick it up & return it to its home!
Our settings get tidied and reset as a mindful rhythm of the day. As children move on, transition the resources and rooms are tidied ready for the next
group to access and enjoy. Read the article below all about what tidy up time actually means -
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/blog/tidy-up-time
Children help us in the process & put things back where they belong.
Inspired by Montessori we believe chores to be a great learning opportunity & help them respect their nursery too.
Like in any setting the sand is moved & transported by the children. The loose parts used to their full potential & the room shows evidence of
wondrous PLAY !
Finally
Educators are highly motivated & inspired to get the room re set back up ready for the next group of children to access and explore.
* Please note on this occasion no children helped the staff member as they were not permitted on FB*
It’s about HIGH EXPECTATIONS of our team which is Module 4 in our Accreditation toolkit, it’s about educators being motivated and passionate about the
environment they offer up to children.
Curious ? Want to know more ?
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/accreditation
#sand #sandatelier #zeninearlyyears #thecuriosityapproach #eyfsideas #motivated #earlyyears #ECE #eyfsteacher #dailylifeearlyyears
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