Awe and Wonder in Willows Pre-school Awe can be described as a powerful feeling that leaves a mark. It moves, inspires, and motivates us.
Wonder in a child is an inner desire to learn that is ready to be awakened. Here at Willows Pre-School, we aim to inspire awe and wonder through the curiosity approach and play, every single day. By inspiring children’s curiosity, awe and wonder as well as experiencing a “magic moment”, we enable the children to thrive in the world around them and learn through the seven areas of learning and development.
Awe and Wonder is something we experience every day at Willows Pre-School. We carefully plan our activities to give children a magical experience at Willows Nursery by inspiring their natural curiosity, awe and wonder at the world around them. Examples of activities include – experimenting with ice after a snowfall, planting seeds and watching the plant grow (and learning how it does). To a child this creates a magical learning experience.
Show them the world Children of all ages are very curious of what they see around them, we create experiences through play and the children are excited to learn this way, as it captures their full attention in a fun and engaging manner. Children join our setting with different learning styles, and as every child is different, as practitioners we need to get to know the children individually.
We get to learn about the child’s likes and dislikes which then determines the best teaching method for that individual. As practitioners we get to go on that magical journey with the children through play this is how we support the children in their development and growth in this world around them. Encourage natural interest Children are naturally curious and seem to want to know everything about the world around them.
Giving children the opportunity to be curious and explore their environment is important for their development and well-being. Curious children are more likely to learn and retain information and stay involved and do better in school.
Let kids be kids. Unstructured play is a great way to nurture and develop your children’s curiosity and sense of discovery.
By allowing your children to be curious and explore, you teach them confidence and appreciation. You also show them the world and teach them the value of experiences over things. Explore with your children, get outdoors, and learn about the world around you. Curiosity will always open doors and lead down new and exciting paths full of adventure and learning.
Awe and Wonder in the EYFS As early years professionals, we know one of the most rewarding parts of our job is experiencing the world around us as if anew with our younger companions. Inspiring children with the magic of the natural world, and fostering their innate sense of curiosity, is a key contributor to their early learning goal of ‘Understanding the World’ and can be one of the most enriching parts of being a practitioner. There are so many firsts for children – like the first time seeing a rainbow, or the first-time tasting olives – and these are experiences that encourage us to adopt a little mindfulness and revel in the present moment in our busy lives.
Activities that we plan and implement are an excellent way of evoking joy and wonder at the world they live in, and we strongly believe that all children should be seeking to experience awe as often as they can! Links to the Characteristics of Effective Learning ‘Magic moments’ link very strongly with the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL), as they respond innately to the Unique Child and link powerfully within the themes of Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments, and Learning and Development as the child engages with experiences through playing and exploring active learning and being a creative and critical thinker.
