Our Curriculum – Learning Through Play in Glenbrae

It is important we provide and promote a learning environment that is fun and stimulating while also providing safety and security for
our youngest children. The staff team have a sound knowledge of child development and understand that all children are individuals that will meet milestones at their own pace (Bruce). From the outset building positive relationships and developing strong links between
nursery and home are crucial. This begins during the very first interactions between the team, the child and their family whether it be through a phone call, visit or email and continues through the Settling In process. We try our very best to build strong attachments and a nurturing ethos which are ‘associated with positive outcomes including self esteem, confidence, emotional regulation, resilience and more harmonious relationships in childhood and early adulthood.’ (Sroufe 2006; Prior and Glaser, 2006). Routines and consistency are also key as when a child knows what is going to happen and who is going to be there, it allows them to think and feel more independently, and feel more safe and secure. These should be flexible too (Myers 2011).

Schematic Play is really a fancy word for the urges that children have to do things like climb, throw things and hide in small places. They appear through play; perhaps it is the way they choose to do things, or what they desperately need to do out of the blue! There are lots of different schemas and they can come one at a time, in bunches, some are super strong and last for ages… each child is different. They are the building blocks for the brain, repeated behaviour that in turn forge connections in the brain, patterns of unfolding, learning and growth. The urge to throw, drop and other actions that are all part of the Trajectory schema. Transporting can be the urge to carry many things on your hands at one time, in jars, in buckets and baskets, or even better containers with wheels.

You can find out more information about the Realising the Ambition: Being Me and access the document at:
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/realising-the-ambition/

You can also find out more about A Curriculum for Excellence at: https://education.gov.scot/education-scotland/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/policy-drivers/cfe-building-from-the-statement-appendix-incl-btc1-5/what-is-curriculum-for-excellence/