Thread by @sarahearlyyears

So, this week we're not using any tablets in nursery to record any photos or observations.
It was my idea, just so we can get back to connecting with the children and their play.

A week long thread (if I remember!)

#teamearlychildhood #eyfs

How am I feeling?
Excited... anxious... how will staff manage...what will we learn as a team?

We're writing our thoughts at the start of the week and reflecting as we go.

Wish us luck!

Lunchtime... I've gone to grab my tablet so many times, but it's made me think why? Chn were using wool to trap animals but what did I see them doing? They've done it before. There was nothing new to observe. They ended the game as quickly as it started.

I've heard lots of staff/child interactions. Perhaps I'm just more conscious of listening for them though?

End of day 1 (will expand below)
* felt as though I was looking at every moment as a 'how could I record this?' interaction
* never felt so busy in one day: making dens, reading, jigsaws, buying ice creams
* adults can have a real impact on sustained interest

I feel as though we are so conditioned to record, we can really miss the moment or interrupt play.
"Let me take a picture of you doing that"
I would be annoyed if that was said to me!
Really reflecting on what am I observing vs what am I seeing. Is there a difference?

Realised even more that chn move very quickly from one interest to another by the planning cycle happens multiple times in one moment. Some chn just float and others really engage. Some need adult interaction. Some adults can interfere.

Practitioners that really know the children can increase the level of involvement, interest, learning opportunities by asking relevant questions, pondering, being co-players. Also just sitting and giving chn time to think and process (CofEL)

What did I miss? I missed recording the wow moments. One of my key chn wrote his name for the first time (I've taken a pic after hours!) A key child talked about her visit today to the Gurdwara (message sent now to parents to ask for photos)
What do you think you would miss?

Day 2 - my reflections
Lots of conversations
Lots of speedy changes of direction in play
More time playing with not my key children
Staff seem to move around a lot more and be lead by the children (just my observation)
Will wait for staff feedback at the end of the week

Conversations I had today seemed a lot more in depth, more to and fro, time to really answer the children rather than having half an eye on a key child at the sand tray in case they did something.
Felt that I was able to really enjoy being in the moment with the children

Conversation about the zoo and different animals child had seen. Another child joined in talking about ostriches. Child next to them at the playdough had made an egg. Other child remembered the ostrich eggs he'd seen. Group of chn (and me) made playdough ostrich, nest and eggs!

Direction of play can change so quickly! Don't try to impose an adult perspective. Sit back, watch, wait to be invited into the play or sit on the edge of the play. Don't interfere!

Spent most of the time outside today trying to hoopla a human target! Being a human target can be painful when a 4yr old throws a hoop at you. Good fun with learning about rolling, hills, changing direction, playing safely. But where would all this fit if you had to do a ✔?

Felt as though staff were everywhere today, being led by the children and their interests. No one had to think of what they were looking for, for their key chn. Barbies, books, dressing up, dinosaurs, horses, junk modelling... it was all there today!

What did I miss? Key child that did a painting and he rarely paints. Would I have taken a picture? Yes. But what would it have told me about his learning? I would have ticked EAD media, PD, Mark making... but actually he was just enjoying vertical painting and exploring colour.

Relatively new child forming friendships, little firsts, exploring new areas. But these will be explored again. Something to think about with photos of new starters and a balance of 'look at me' photos vs photos for tracking. Although it's up to us how we do that, I suppose?

Still enjoying it and whilst on my file time today I tried to write a longer obs that showed where an idea had come from, more involvement, children's voice (which I think is really important) and the wider context. Must also learn to link them to show threads of learning!