What gives something meaning?
Educators constantly explore diverse early learning methodologies to empower our students. The Reggio Emilia educational project from northern Italy offers a profound insight: children construct meaning as they embark on their learning journeys.
A chance encounter at the Camberwell Market in Melbourne perfectly illustrates the essence of meaning-making. While collecting gold coins as a Rotarian, I observed a man purchasing a seemingly unremarkable plant. When I inquired, he enthusiastically explained, "This is a Fascicularia Bicolor, a native plant from Chile. There's only one species like it in the world!" Despite its scraggly appearance in a black plastic pot, the plant held immense personal significance for him—representing connections to his homeland, culture, and personal experiences.
This incident revealed two crucial insights about meaning-making:
1.     Meaning is deeply personal and contextual
2.     Personal interests are the spark that ignites exploration and understanding
A String of Turtles
Shortly after this incident at the market, my godson—a passionate nurseryman who adores unique plants—shared a photo of a "String of Turtles" (Peperomia Prostrata).
Its delicate leaves were an uncanny replica of tiny turtle shells, each miniature leaf perfectly mimicking the dome-like shape and intricate pattern of a turtle's carapace. The resemblance was so precise that one could almost imagine a collection of minute turtles suspended from slender stems.
This remarkable plant instantly sparked my interest and offered an exciting educational opportunity. By introducing such a botanical wonder to children, we can create rich, multifaceted learning experiences.
For instance, children could:
·        Draw and paint the plant, meticulously comparing its leaves to actual turtle shells
·        Visit an aquarium to observe real turtles
·        Explore similarities and differences between plants and animals
·        Investigate ecosystems and environmental science
Develop a deeper understanding of interconnectedness
Five Ways to Support Children's Meaning-Making:
1.     Cultivate Curiosity: Encourage children to ask questions and explore their interests
deeply.
2.     Provide Contextual Experiences: Create opportunities for hands-on learning that
allow children to engage personally with new information.
3.     Embrace Interdisciplinary Connections: Show children how knowledge from
different domains are interrelated.
4.     Validate Personal Perspectives: Recognise that each child's unique background
contributes to how they construct meaning.
5.     Model Continuous Learning: Demonstrate your curiosity and willingness to
explore new ideas.
By nurturing children's innate curiosity and enabling exploration of fascinating topics, we create profound, enduring learning experiences that extend far beyond traditional educational boundaries.
Lili-Ann Kriegler (B. A Hons, H. Dip. Ed, M.Ed.) is a Melbourne-based education consultant and award-winning 'Power of Play' and 'Roots and Wings'Â author. Lili-Ann owns Kriegler Education and writes to share the wisdom she has acquired through her training and 30 years of experience in education. She is a child, parent and family advocate who believes education is a transformative force for humanity.
Website: https://www.kriegler-education.com/
Transform your approach to early childhood education by unlocking the true potential of play-based learning. In The Power of Play, educator Lili-Ann Kriegler provides a practical roadmap for embedding deep conceptual understanding into daily activities. This book, explicitly designed for early educators, emphasises that language is at the heart of learning. It describes 7 dynamic learning zones to help you implement a highly effective play-based curriculum.
Comentarios