Sensory Play Learning Story Example

Writing a good learning story can sometimes feel like trying to catch a rainbow - beautiful to imagine, but elusive in reality. As an early childhood teacher in our beautiful Aotearoa, you know the importance of these narratives in capturing the learning journey of our tamariki. These stories, written with care and aroha, help us to document the unique moments of discovery, the budding relationships, the triumphs and even the challenges our children face. However, crafting a compelling learning story can indeed be a challenge. But, as with any skill, it becomes easier with practice and with a little helping hand.

So, let's unravel the mystery together. I'll share an example of a learning story and afterward, we'll dissect it, breaking down the components that make it effective. The story we'll be exploring today is all about sensory play, a powerful learning experience for our little ones.

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Title: A World of Textures

Setting: A sunny morning at Papatūānuku Kiwi Kindergarten

Child involved: Little Hemi, a curious explorer

Teachers involved: Whaea Karen and Whaea Lisa

The Story

Hemi was knee-deep in his exploration of the Sensory Bin, a treasure trove of textures, colours, and shapes. His fingers danced through the rice, the smooth pebbles, and the squishy playdough, his face lighting up with each new discovery. Whaea Karen and Whaea Lisa watched from a distance, giving him the space for his exploration.

Suddenly, Hemi paused. His small hand hovered over the bin, fingers stretched towards a handful of feathers. With a look of intense focus, he picked up a single feather, turning it this way and that, feeling its softness with his tiny fingers.

Whaea Karen approached and sat next to him. "Isn't it soft, Hemi?" she said, mirroring his action by picking up another feather. Hemi looked at her, his eyes wide with excitement, and nodded vigorously. Together, they explored the remaining contents of the bin, Hemi leading the way with his unbridled curiosity.

Before the morning ended, Hemi had touched, squished, and explored every item in the bin. He had discovered a world of textures, and his journey was just beginning.

What Learning I Recognise

Hemi's sensory play journey was rich with learning. His focused exploration demonstrated his developing concentration skills and curiosity. By engaging with different textures, Hemi was building his understanding of the world around him, enhancing his tactile senses, and refining his motor skills. His interaction with Whaea Karen showed his growing ability to form connections with others and to communicate his discoveries.

Opportunities and Possibilities

This sensory play experience has opened up a world of possibilities for Hemi's learning. We can further encourage his curiosity by introducing new materials in the sensory bin. We could also extend this learning experience by linking it to literacy, such as through texture-related vocabulary or storytelling. Most importantly, we will continue to provide Hemi with a safe and supportive environment to feed his curiosity and nurture his love for learning.

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Now, let's take a step back and look at the learning story.

Title and Setting: The title and setting provide the context for the story. It should be engaging and informative. In our story, we know it's about Hemi's exploration of different textures at our kindergarten.

The Child and Teachers involved: Identifying the child and teachers involved helps to personalise the story and makes it relatable to those who know them.

The Story: This is the heart of the learning story. It captures the child's actions, reactions, and interactions in a narrative format. Notice how in our story, we describe Hemi's actions and reactions in detail, allowing the reader to visualise his exploration.

What Learning I Recognise: This section highlights the child's learning. In Hemi's case, we identified his developing skills such as concentration, curiosity, sensory awareness, motor skills, and social interaction.

Opportunities and Possibilities: This part looks at the future, suggesting how we can support and extend the child's learning. For Hemi, we suggested introducing new materials and linking his sensory play to literacy, all within a safe and supportive environment.

Writing a good learning story is a journey in itself. It may not always be easy, but it's always worth it. I hope this example has helped you in your journey. Remember, each story you write is a gift to a child's learning journey, a testament to their unique path of discovery. Keep writing, keep exploring, and keep celebrating the wonderful world of early childhood education.