3.3 Implement activities (include clearing away)

This guide will help you answer 3.3 Implement activities (include clearing away).

As an Early Years Practitioner, implementing activities is a crucial part of your role. It’s essential to ensure that these activities are well-planned, engaging, and promote children’s development effectively. Additionally, keeping a tidy and safe environment by clearing away after activities is equally important. Let’s dive into how you can best implement activities and manage the clearing away process.

Planning and Preparing Activities

Understanding Children’s Needs

First, understand the individual needs and interests of the children. Knowing the age, abilities, and preferences of the children in your care is crucial. This will help you tailor activities that are developmentally appropriate and engaging.

• Observation: Observe children’s behaviours and interactions regularly.
• Assessment: Carry out assessments to understand each child’s developmental stage.

Activity Selection

Next, select activities that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines. Aim for a balance between structured and unstructured play. Include various types of activities such as:

• Creative (e.g., painting, drawing)
• Physical (e.g., obstacle courses, dancing)
• Cognitive (e.g., puzzles, counting games)
• Social (e.g., group play, role-playing)

Resources

Gather all necessary resources beforehand. Ensure they are safe, age-appropriate, and in good condition. Typical resources might include:

• Art supplies: Crayons, paints, brushes, paper.
• Toys: Blocks, dolls, cars.
• Books: Age-appropriate storybooks and picture books.
• Equipment: Mats, slides, balls for physical activities.

Implementing the Activity

Setting Up

Create an inviting environment for the activity to take place. Set up the space before the children arrive to ensure everything runs smoothly.

• Safety Check: Ensure the area is safe and free from hazards.
• Organisation: Arrange resources logically and accessibly.
• Instructions: Prepare clear and simple instructions for the children.

Introducing the Activity

Engage children by clearly explaining the activity. Use simple language and demonstrate if necessary. Encourage questions to ensure they understand. For example:

“We are going to make colourful handprints today. Let me show you how to dip your hands in paint and press them on the paper.”

Facilitating the Activity

While the children are engaged in the activity, your role is to facilitate rather than direct. This means providing support and guidance while allowing children to explore and learn independently.

• Observe: Keep an eye on how children are interacting with the activity.
• Interact: Offer praise, ask open-ended questions, and provide gentle guidance.
• Support: Help resolve conflicts and offer additional resources if needed.

Clearing Away

Active Participation

Encourage children to participate in the clearing away process. This promotes responsibility and teamwork. Make it part of the routine.

• Simple Tasks: Assign age-appropriate tasks, like putting toys back or stacking books.
• Positive Reinforcement: Praise children for their efforts.

“Great job putting the toys back in their boxes! Can you help me stack these books next?”

Systematic Approach

Adopt a systematic approach to make clearing away efficient. Follow these steps:

1. Gather Tools: Have bins, cloths, and appropriate cleaning agents ready.
2. Sort and Organise: Sort items into categories (toys, books, art supplies) and organise them.
3. Clean and Disinfect: Wipe down tables, clean up spills, and ensure all resources are sanitised.
4. Store Properly: Return items to their designated storage areas to maintain tidiness.

Involve Colleagues

Clearing away can be more efficient and effective when colleagues work together. Coordinate with your team to manage the task seamlessly.

• Delegate Tasks: Assign specific tasks to team members.
• Communicate: Ensure everyone knows their responsibilities and the timeline.

Reflecting on the Activity

After the activity and clearing away, take time to reflect. This helps improve future sessions.

Evaluation

Evaluate the success of the activity by considering:

• Children’s Engagement: Were the children engaged and interested?
• Learning Outcomes: Did the activity meet the intended developmental goals?
• Areas for Improvement: What went well and what could be improved?

Feedback

Seek feedback from children and colleagues. This provides valuable insights and perspectives.

• Children’s Feedback: Ask simple questions like, “Did you enjoy that activity?”
• Colleagues’ Insights: Discuss any observations or suggestions with your team.

Continuous Improvement

Use the reflections and feedback to continuously improve your practice. Adapt and adjust activities to better meet the children’s needs.

• Plan Ahead: Incorporate learnings into the planning of future activities.
• Stay Informed: Stay updated with best practices and new activity ideas.
• Professional Development: Attend workshops and training sessions to enhance your skills.

Conclusion

Implementing activities effectively entails careful planning, clear communication, and active facilitation. Once the activity is over, involving children in the clearing away process instils good habits and ensures the learning environment remains organised and safe. Regularly reflecting on the activities helps in continuous improvement, making each session better than the last.

Remember, the goal is to create a supportive, engaging, and safe environment where children can explore, learn, and grow. With thoughtful planning and execution, you’ll be able to provide enriching activities that not only educate but also delight the children in your care.