by Hester Laubscher
The importance of early childhood education and care continues to be recognized, and it is crucial to highlight best practices that support children's holistic development. In the realm of early childhood education and care, innovation, and adaptability are key to creating impactful learning experiences for children.
Makovichuk et al. remark, "The Alberta framework recognizes, appreciates, and values: the search for a shared professional language—a language that may cause pause, calling upon us to reflect deeply in order to make the values, principles, and goals that frame practice in early learning and child care clear to ourselves and visible to others" (2014, p. 4).
Therefore, by capturing a day home on film, it offers a unique perspective and opportunity of authentic portrayal and experience of how Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework seamlessly integrates the enchanting world of loose parts play. We not only demonstrate best practices but also uncover the profound connection between relationships, early learning co-constructed curriculum, and professional language that embodies the transformative power of intentional play-based learning in early childhood settings.
Concrete Demonstration
Providing tangible and practical demonstration of how the Flight framework is integrated into daily practices. By capturing the use of loose parts play, the video showcases the engaging, child-centered environment that encourages active exploration and learning.
This child co-researched books alongside peers to find out what skirts are made of and how to make them. | This child co-imagined making a boat birthday cake with peers. |
Watching our day home in action through film can inspire caregivers and educators to incorporate loose parts play into their own settings. By witnessing the positive outcomes and the joy it brings to children, they are more likely to embrace this approach and discover new ways to facilitate open-ended play experiences. Therefore, through the lens of a camera, we captured unique perspectives and genuine moments where children exercise their creativity, explore their surroundings, and engage in meaningful interactions. This authentic experience serves as a source of inspiration for both caregivers and parents.
The aim of filming my day home was to voice my passion for open-ended loose parts that inspire child-led play and it helps children develop skills using their schemas and develop their learning domains (social, physical, intellectual or cognitive, creative or communication, and emotional). The Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care framework makes visible what Holistic play-based goals and dispositions to learning the children are using to make meaning of the world they live in.
Calgary Tower | Flower Bouquet | Factory |
The possibilities are endless and unique.
Loose parts and Flight’s principles and values build life skills and children also draw from their cultural heritage during each play experience that supports their growth and development. This film also displayed/revealed my unique qualities in providing quality care for the children in my day home's responsive environment. The film will be released in December 2023 on https://www.flightframework.ca/resource/videos
The Power of Visualization
The visual medium of film provides a powerful means of showcasing the potential and impact of the Flight framework and loose parts play. It allows viewers to witness the magic unfold as children construct, invent, and collaborate, all while experiencing the joy and excitement of self-directed learning. According to Makovichuk et al., "Flight is grounded in a Vision of strong, active and energetic early childhood communities—places of vitality—where the rights of children as citizens are recognized and where the diversity of Alberta families is reflected and can be expressed" (2014, p. 6). The ability to visualize these experiences fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for their transformative potential.
How it came about was that the fact that my Calgary and Region Family Day Home agency applied for the Alberta for the Flight Video Tour Series back in October 2022 and they were the only day home agency that was chosen within Alberta province.
I was made aware of this, within the agency in February 2023, and the additional news that only five day homes were chosen, of which my day home was one, that will be showcased and filmed in the Flight Video Tour Series.
We formed a Flight community of practice in March 2023, where we supported and learned more about each other's Educator practice and our respective day homes Flight learning journey.
On Sunday, June 11, 2023, all five educators were interviewed by the remarkable Flight Video Tour Series team (Dan, Jill, and Aradhna) from Habit who filmed our individualized insight and application of the Flight framework into our day homes.
How it came about was that the fact that my Calgary and Region Family Day Home agency applied for the Alberta for the Flight Video Tour Series back in October 2022 and they were the only day home agency that was chosen within Alberta province.
I was made aware of this, within the agency in February 2023, and the additional news that only five day homes were chosen, of which my day home was one, that will be showcased and filmed in the Flight Video Tour Series.
We formed a Flight community of practice in March 2023, where we supported and learned more about each other's Educator practice and our respective day homes Flight learning journey.
On Sunday, June 11, 2023, all five educators were interviewed by the remarkable Flight Video Tour Series team (Dan, Jill, and Aradhna) from Habit who filmed our individualized insight and application of the Flight framework into our day homes.
The next day (Monday, June 12, 2023) only three day homes including mine were filmed to show how we plan, implement, and make meaning of what the children are learning. I am so honored and grateful for participating in this unique venture.
Cultivating Collaboration and Reflection
Sharing a filmed day home experience fosters collaboration and reflection among caregivers, educators, and parents. By engaging in dialogue, exchanging ideas, and reflecting on their own practices, individuals can further enhance their approaches to early learning and care. The flight framework emphasizes that "As an educator, [I] provide many opportunities for children to observe, debate, collaborate, negotiate, and express and share their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and questions with one another in many ways—both non-verbal and verbal" (Makovichuk et al., 2014, p. 128). The film acts as a catalyst for meaningful discussions, encouraging continuous growth and improvement within the early childhood community.
Empowering and Encouraging Parents Engagement as Partners
This filmed experience provides a unique opportunity for parents to witness their child's learning journey outside of traditional settings where "[c]hildren’s dispositions to learn [playing and playful, seeking, participating, persisting and caring] are not intended to be measured and do not lend themselves to checklists of accomplished tasks; rather, educators are encouraged to document children’s growing dispositions to learn within the context of the early childhood environment" (Makovichuk et al., 2014, p. 62). It empowers parents as partners, enabling them to understand the Flight framework and the value of loose parts play as well as providing an effective way to engage them in their child's learning journey. It offers them a window into the educational practices and encourages them to extend similar loose part play opportunities at home.
Peer tutoring is based upon Vygotsky's sociocultural cognitive development theory: Using their caring disposition, one peer is helping the other peers to make their own belts using the tubing loose parts.
This shared knowledge encourages parents to actively support and extend these experiences into the home environment, fostering a consistent and holistic approach to their child's development. The Flight framework emphasizes that "Creating responsive environments requires awareness that the image of the child—a mighty learner and citizen—must be continually reflected on as educators [and Parents to] respond to children’s interests and exploration through the design elements of time, space, materials, and participation" Makovichuk et al., 2014, p. 64). By nurturing a reciprocal and bi-directional relationship between parents and caregivers, children benefit from consistent learning experiences across different environments.
Why is Loose Parts so Important
Unlike traditional toys with predetermined uses, loose parts offer endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. It ignites curiosity, cultivates problem-solving skills, and nurtures a sense of agency as children take ownership of their learning experiences.
Advocacy and Awareness for Play-Based Learning
This Flight Video Tour Series episode will showcase the integration of the Flight framework with loose parts play which in turn advocates for the power of play-based learning in early childhood education. It will reveal the benefits of the Flight framework and loose parts play through filmed content, and through this we raise awareness about the importance of quality early learning and care.
According to Makovichuk et al, "Making children’s learning visible in ways that advocate for children may help to gain support and awareness of children’s potential as mighty learners and citizens. Co-imagining possibilities may involve working with others to advocate for more government and community programs that can promote families’ and children’s well-being." (2014, p. 56).
It advocates for the inclusion of play-based approaches in early childhood settings and highlights the significance of intentional environments that promote and nurtures children's overall development. We champion a pedagogical approach that values children's individuality, and fosters a love for learning.
According to Makovichuk et al, "Making children’s learning visible in ways that advocate for children may help to gain support and awareness of children’s potential as mighty learners and citizens. Co-imagining possibilities may involve working with others to advocate for more government and community programs that can promote families’ and children’s well-being." (2014, p. 56).
It advocates for the inclusion of play-based approaches in early childhood settings and highlights the significance of intentional environments that promote and nurtures children's overall development. We champion a pedagogical approach that values children's individuality, and fosters a love for learning.
Professional Development
Filmed examples of the Flight framework in action can be a valuable resource for professional development. As educators you engage in co-inquiry as a way to solve problems, as well as in professional development processes toward understanding and improving your teaching practices" (Makovichuk et al., 2014, p. 142). Educators and caregivers can learn from one another, exchange ideas, and reflect on their own practices. The video acts as a catalyst for ongoing learning and improvement within the early childhood community.
Conclusion
My intention is to leave a legacy of quality child care using Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework in conjunction with the Emergent curriculum and emphasize the importance of play and providing loose part materials in a responsive environment. I want to continue this journey, to advocate and lead, in Early Learning Educational Field.
The intentional filming of this dayhome was to demonstrate the integration of the Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework, with a specific focus on loose parts play, amplifying the impact of quality early learning experiences.
It provides concrete examples of how educators and parents can create engaging environments that foster exploration, and creativity, and cultivate children's teamwork where they become familiar with the different roles and understand what it takes to be a follower, a leader and how to support equity, diversity and inclusion. By sharing these filmed resources, of the authentic experiences of children we inspire others, promote collaboration, and advocate for the transformative power of intentional play-based learning in early childhood settings.
Let us celebrate the magic of loose parts play and embrace the Flight framework to ensure the optimal development and well-being of our youngest learners.
The intentional filming of this dayhome was to demonstrate the integration of the Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework, with a specific focus on loose parts play, amplifying the impact of quality early learning experiences.
It provides concrete examples of how educators and parents can create engaging environments that foster exploration, and creativity, and cultivate children's teamwork where they become familiar with the different roles and understand what it takes to be a follower, a leader and how to support equity, diversity and inclusion. By sharing these filmed resources, of the authentic experiences of children we inspire others, promote collaboration, and advocate for the transformative power of intentional play-based learning in early childhood settings.
Let us celebrate the magic of loose parts play and embrace the Flight framework to ensure the optimal development and well-being of our youngest learners.
Snakes curling around a tree | Bird nests on hill side. | A work of art - worthy of framing. |
It is important to document the integration of the Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework with the enchanting world of loose parts play which adds a unique dimension to our understanding of early learning and care.
Through this visual medium, we advocate for the transformative power of play-based learning and the importance of implementing, planning, and using the Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care framework.
My hope is to inspire you to try out the flight framework in conjunction with loose parts.
Through this visual medium, we advocate for the transformative power of play-based learning and the importance of implementing, planning, and using the Flight: Alberta Early Learning and Care framework.
My hope is to inspire you to try out the flight framework in conjunction with loose parts.
References
Makovichuk, L., Hewes, J., Lirette, P., & Thomas, N. (2014). Flight: Alberta's early learning and care framework. Retrieved from https://www.flightframework.ca/