High quality play and first-hand experiences lead children to the richest and most enjoyable discovery and learning and so these are what we want for our children.  However, a potential problem for us as early years practitioners is that few high quality play and first-hand experiences result in a tangible 'end product' (a painting etc) that parents can see and easily appreciate.

For example, we recently left out some shallow containers filled with water on a very cold night; the next morning our frozen containers became ice skating rinks for small world toy people, complete with props and accessories (skis, sledges, skates and scarves etc) made by the children!

This example, one of many at Polly's, nicely illustrates the point we're trying to make. It's an example of a high quality play experience that enables children to have fun as they access wonderfully rich learning opportunities across all six areas of learning within the EYFS.  But, afterwards, there is no physical evidence to 'prove' that this time has been well spent and nothing tangible for parents to take home to proudly display on their fridge or mantelpiece.

We were having a spring clean of some old files recently when we came across the following 'account' of a child's day at nursery.  We don't know who wrote it (and so can't attribute it) but it's quite funny and serves to remind us all that what children bring home in their heads is more important than what they bring home in their hands!

 

"What did you do at nursery today darling?"

"Well, I sat at the dough table and made my own dough and then rolled it with my hands.  Tommy said his was a snake but mine, mine was a worm!  My teacher talked about long ones, short ones and fat ones and thin ones, and Mummy, Tommy rolled his dough so long it went right over the edge of the table! (And, nobody said: 'What are you going to make - a cake would be nice')."

"Yes, but then what did you do?"

"I played on the climbing frame, and do you know Mummy, I can jump off the very top step!"

"Yes, but did you do anything today?"

"Amy and me went to the paint table.  It was lovely, all gooey and slippery in our hands.  We made lots of patterns with our fingers and elbows.  Amy chose yellow paint and I chose red and Mummy, do you know what, if you mix red paint and yellow paint together it goes ORANGE! (And nobody said: 'What a mess you've made")."

"Yes, but what else have you done?"

"At snack time I poured my own milk and used some tongs to serve myself some carrot sticks and red peppers and a spoon to put exactly the amount of dip I wanted onto my plate."

"And then did you do anything?"

"I made some of the letters of my name in wet sand with my fingers and then Jess and me had a race to see who could put the sand in the sand wheel the quickest!"

"But then did you do anything?"

"At story time I was tired so I sat on my teachers lap and the story was about a caterpillar - and do you know Mummy, caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies!"

"And then did you do anything?"

"We sang 'Happy Birthday' to Finn and counted the candles on his cake."

"So, did you do anything today?"

"Yes.  When my teacher said it was time to tidy up I quickly painted you a picture because I knew you'd say.....'What did you do at nursery today?'."