With the introduction of the Foundation Stage in September last year and its emphasis on partnership with parents, we wanted to make our children's parents more aware of the early learning goals.
We held a parents' evening to explain the six areas of learning, but we felt they needed hands-on experience of the kind of activities that their children do at nursery to enable them to understand more fully how children learn and work towards the early learning goals in practice.
Our first session was held last month at Possums at Warfield. Around 100 parents from Jocks Lane nursery and Possums at Warfield attended the evening, which was a very good turnout. The evening was also attended by our local early years development officer, Karen Frost, and a field worker from the Pre-School Learning Alliance, Deborah Randell.
We had set up various tables for the parents to explore. They could play instruments at the music table, could practise addition and subtraction with Unifix cubes at the maths table and could even create a volcano effect by mixing bicarbonate of soda and vinegar at the science table. There was even a big bookstand where they could sit and listen to a story. They were also encouraged to explore the sand and water area, the art and craft area and the home corner.
One group of parents took part in an aerobics session in the playroom, to help develop their understanding of body and spatial awareness. They also learned that 'sticky kids' was not just a game!
A member of staff was on hand in each area to explain to the parents the learning intention of each activity and how it related to a particular early learning goal. Many of the parents were surprised that so much could be discovered through play. 'I didn't realise how much a child could learn through playing with playdough,' one parent said.
Nor did they realise how much we did with the children in such little time. Some parents left disappointed because in the two-and-a-half hours they were there, they hadn't been able to work their way round all the activities - they had been so engrossed in what they were doing!
The parents' disappointment due to lack of time made the evening a learning experience for us too, and we are now considering changing our planning to allow children more time on individual activities.
The evening was a huge success because it helped parents to understand more about how their children are learning through play and not just having fun. The parents also felt that now they would be able to talk to their children more about what they do at nursery because they have experienced it themselves.
Aferwards the children were very excited because 'mummy and daddy went to my nursery' to take part in the various activities.
The paintings that the parents did in the art and craft area have also been hung around the room, which is encouraging for the children and has helped them to feel more settled.
We have always had a very strong relationship with our parents, but we feel that the evening has strengthened it. The staff and parents thoroughly enjoyed it and we are very keen to hold another session, perhaps in the summer so we can do more outdoor activities. I hope other practitioners think of doing the same. I definitely recommend it.
Carol Wassell spoke to Mahrukh Choughtai
