Crafting a Perfect Learning Story, Water Play Example
Writing a good learning story can sometimes feel like trying to catch a slippery fish with bare hands. You know it's there, you can see it, but somehow it keeps slipping out of your grasp. Just like every Kiwi knows, fishing requires patience, precision, and a good understanding of the fish you're trying to catch. Similarly, crafting a compelling learning story demands a deep understanding of the child, their experiences, and the learning outcomes.
Now, let's dive into an example of a learning story. This example is based around water play, a common and much-loved activity in early childcare settings in New Zealand.
Water Play: Discovering the Magic of Floating and Sinking
In the middle of a sunny afternoon, Sophia, a bubbly 3-year-old with sparkling blue eyes, was drawn to our outdoor water play station. Her curiosity piqued by a colourful array of objects laid out beside a large tub filled with water.
With a hesitant step, Sophia approached the water tub. She studied the objects carefully: a wooden block, a rubber duck, a leaf, and a small metal spoon. She picked up the wooden block and cautiously dropped it into the water.
To her surprise, it floated! She clapped her hands in delight and let out a squeal of joy. Next, she picked up the metal spoon and with a thoughtful look, she dropped it into the water. The spoon sank quickly to the bottom. Sophia's eyes widened, a small frown formed on her forehead as she tried to understand what just happened.
Sophia spent the next hour experimenting with different objects, observing whether they floated or sank. She was completely engrossed in her play, her face lit up with excitement and wonder. She began to categorise the objects into two groups: those that floated and those that sank. Sophia was discovering the concept of density through her play.
Throughout the afternoon, Sophia shared her discoveries with her peers, explaining why some objects float while others sink. She was not only exploring scientific concepts but also developing her communication and social skills.
Let's break down this learning story.
In the beginning, we set the scene, introducing Sophia and the context of the water play station. This helps readers to visualise the setting and understand Sophia's initial interest.
Next, we detailed Sophia's actions and reactions to the floating and sinking objects. By doing so, we showcase her thought process, her curiosity, and her joy of discovery.
We then highlighted Sophia's learning outcomes. She was experimenting and making observations, thereby gaining knowledge about the concept of density. Furthermore, she was developing her language and social skills by communicating her findings to her peers.
In this example, we've captured the magic of Sophia's learning through her water play experience. We've painted a picture of her discovery, her excitement, and her learning. Just like catching that slippery fish, writing a perfect learning story requires patience, precision, and understanding. But when you do finally capture it, the reward is well worth the effort.
Remember, every child is unique, and every learning story will be too. So, don't be afraid to dive in, get your hands wet, and start writing your own engaging learning stories.