From one end of the spectrum to the other
Fittingly, my day today began where many start their educational journey in Scotland – at a nursery school. I always enjoy the fun and colourful environment in our nurseries and today was no exception. Many of the youngsters were outside in the gardens, with sun protection being put on by staff, and enjoying the sunshine.
They were keen to show me the potatoes, carrots and other vegetables they’ve been growing and the staff were equally keen to tell me about how well Curriculum for Excellence and the play based approach to learning in the Early Years are benefiting their pupils.
From the Nursery it’s a short drive towards the opposite end of the educational spectrum, with a visit to Stirling University. After meeting the management team, I was shown the fantastic sports facilities on the campus – including the swimming pool and tennis centre. Although I didn’t have time to stop and say hello, I did see Judy Murray out coaching what will hopefully prove to be some of the Scottish tennis stars of the future.
Finally, I stopped off in Raploch to visit a fantastic project being run by dedicated and inspirational staff – the Big Noise Orchestra in Raploch. After a quick introduction the initiative and its aims, I was treated to a great musical performance by the young people in the Orchestra. Seeing and hearing these young people playing their Cellos, Violins and Double Basses was a particular highlight and the perfect note on which to end my day.
I can now look forward to a week of holiday, but will be updating you regularly on my visits around and about Scotland over the Parliamentary recess.
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The Scottish Pre-school Play Association (SPPA) is encouraged to hear Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning, state that the play-based approach to learning is showing benefits in the crucial early years of children’s lives as the Curriculum for Excellence framework is embraced and becomes embedded in practice in early years settings.
SPPA has long recognised and promoted the powerful contribution play makes to young children’s all round learning and development. Community based playgroups, toddler groups and under fives settings use play based learning and provide rich play environments to stimulate and interest children to explore, experiment, practise and acquire skills, knowledge and understanding, and attributes which prepare them for learning throughout life.
Underpinning our work with community based early years services is the belief that play engages children in their own learning, enabling them to express their level of knowledge and understanding, their ideas and feelings in many different ways and it helps them to come to terms with the world in which they live. Our experience, over 40 years, has shown that children have a natural inclination to play and that through play they are encouraged to grow and develop at their own pace and supported to gain the confidence to try things out and cope with new challenges.