‘CHILD’S PLAY’THE EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Child Studies 1 – Group Task

Group Task:working together to achieve a common goal

What is the Group Task• Go to a child care centre work in one age room – get to know

the children (decide which room you will focus on).• Plan play activities that will develop the children.• With your group, write a collaborative action plan of what

activities you intend to do, why and how. Written in class, under supervision

• In the 4th week work with the other students to run the activities for the children.

• You are assessed on your contribution to making and implementing the group decisions.

• The group will produce a “group activity” presentation for the children’s learning folios

• You will write an individual evaluation of the group task.

Effective Team Work• PURPOSE – clear purpose and maintain focus on that

outcome.• PROCESSES – Clear processes help the to team work

efficiently and effectively. Timely meetings, agreed processes for how decisions are made and suitable processes for recording decisions are essential.

• TRUST – Team members communicate well and trust each other to contribute to achieving the team’s intended purpose.

• LEADERSHIP – A leader is needed to maintain focus on the purpose of the group and the task at hand.

• The four components are inter-related. The absence of one component impacts on the effectiveness of the team.

Assessment Design Criteria: Problem Solving• P1 Identification and discussion of factors involved in problem-solving

• P2 Decision-making about problem-solving and implementation strategies.

Practical Application• PA1 Development and implementation of safe management practices.

• PA3 Application of knowledge and practical skills.

Assessment Design Criteria: Collaboration

• C1 Response to other group members, and sharing in decision-making.

• C2 Involvement in group activities and discussions to support the health and well-being of children.

Reflection • R1 Reflection on the processes and outcomes of practical and group activities, including their own performance.

Planning

• Decide which area of the childcare centre you will focus on – 0-2 years; 2-3years ; 3-5years

• Play with the children and get to know them. (belonging)

• Find out what interests them, what they can do, what they like to do (being)

• Plan activities that promote physical, social, emotional or cognitive development. (becoming)

Consider• The age and stage of development of the children

• Types of play• Activities suitable for each age group (knowledge criteria)

• Number of activities-time,children’s interests• Roles and responsibilities of team members• Safety (safety criteria)• Materials and resources

The Early Years Learning Framework• Australia’s National Early Childhood Curriculum• Principles, practice and outcomes for young children's learning, from 0-5

• Strong emphasis on play-based learning because play is best for stimulating early brain development.

• Recognises the importance of communication and language, including early literacy and numeracy.

• Acknowledges a child's social and emotional development.

Decide and Prepare

• Decide on the activities – make sure you can justify them

• Write the group Action plan in class (using google docs)

• Prepare the required materials and resources• Plan how it will be recorded and who will do it• Make sure everything is fully organised and in place by the lesson before the assessment.

Play and Record• On the day of the assessment load materials into the bus ready for early departure (you will miss recess that day – so plan to bring a snack)

• Unload and set up at MCCC• Run session from 10:15 until it is time to stop

(organise this with the room leader beforehand)• Photograph children’s learning record who was doing what and what they discovered

• Clean up, pack up, assist with preparing children for lunch etc.

• 11:50 – Say goodbye

Practical Evidence

• Collect evidence for the following• PA1 Development and implementation of safe management practices. (what did you do to ensure the safety of the children)

• PA3 Application of knowledge and practical skills. (show how the activities met the children’s needs)

‘Group Activity’ Presentation

•At least one of these is produced with annotated photos to show the learning that happened in the activities.

•They will be returned to the Childcare Centre and be put in the children’s learning folders for parents to see.

•Focus on what they are gaining from the activities.

Individual Evaluation

•reflect on your performance - consider the decision making processes, your management processes and the final result.

•consider possible improvements that could be made? What would they be?