As an educator, I used to think, "You are surrounded by toys, how can you be bored?" However, over time, I've come to understand that a child's engagement goes beyond the mere presence of toys. 

How to Encourage a Child’s Engagement

Children thrive on diverse, stimulating experiences that challenge their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Children seek interaction, novelty, and the opportunity to explore and learn new things.

Incorporating Toys

Simply having toys around is not enough to capture their interest or meet their developmental needs. Toys, while valuable, need to be part of a broader environment that includes dynamic activities, engaging experiences, and meaningful interactions with educators and peers. It’s also essential to rotate toys and introduce new ones to maintain their interest and prevent monotony.

Open-Ended Play Activities

Moreover, children benefit from environments that encourage them to use toys in creative ways, fostering open-ended play where they can invent their own games and stories. This type of play supports cognitive and social development, helping children learn to think critically and collaborate with others. 

Facilitating Meaningful Experiences

As educators, our role is to facilitate these experiences, guiding children in exploring their environment and making the most of the resources available to them.

Toys as Tools for Growth

In recognising the importance of an engaging and interactive environment, I’ve learned to see toys not just as objects for entertainment but as tools and resources that, when used thoughtfully, can significantly enhance a child's learning and growth.

Get Spooky with a Witches' Brew: A Fun and Engaging Halloween Activity for Educators

Witches Brew

Resources Required:

• A single large black bucket

• Plastic eyeballs

• Orange or green rings (or the children’s favourite colour).

• Plastic bugs and spiders

• Water

• A measuring jug

• A ladle, scoops, and spoons

• A witches hat

• Green food colouring (or whichever colour you would like)

• The children’s favourite Halloween costume

Method:

1. Play Halloween music. This is what I recommend. 

2. Get all children dressed up in their favourite Halloween costumes.

3. Place the measuring jug full of water, ladles, spoons, plastic insects, plastic eyeballs, plastic spiders on the table.

4. Assist the children with taking turns as they pour water into the bucket.

5. Encourage the children to identify the resources as they put them into the bucket of water.

6. Sing the ‘Stirring our brew’ song whilst adding the green food colouring to turn the water green and witchy.

7. Encourage the children to have fun whilst stirring and scooping their Witches Brew

   
   
   
   
   
   

Written by 

Jade Dervish

Talent Manager (Dip.EarlyEd)