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How Does Learning Happen is Ontario's pedagogy for the early years. It is the philosophy that educators, families, and the learning environment work together to support children's learning. There are four foundations to How Does Learning Happen: belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression. Each foundation outlines a goal for every child to have a sense of belonging, to have a sense of well-being, to be an engaged and active learner, and to be able to express themselves in many different ways. The goal for the program is to be based on the interests of the child and the children so that they can achieve their goals. The goal of the educator is to create a sense of belonging, nuture healthy development, create an engaging curriculum, and encourage different forms of expression for the children.

References:

How does learning happen: Ontario’s pedagogy for the Early Years. ontario.ca. (n.d.). https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-does-learning-happen-ontarios-pedagogy-early-years

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Belonging is the child's sense of being part of the group, classroom, or community. It is the relationships they make with educators, family, and children. Belonging is the sense that they are valued as human beings

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For children:

To create a sense of belonging for the children I display their artwork in the classroom. Decorating with the children's artwork makes them feel more connected to the learning environment.

Another way to create a sense of belonging is I get to know the children and base art activities off their collective interests. In my preschool class all the children really like rainbows so the last two weeks we have been doing different rainbow art activities. As their interests change so do the art activities.

For families:

To create a sense of belonging for families I would include them in holiday celebrations with the children by creating art activities from the parents. For Valentine's day my preschool class made Valentine's cards for their parents. The cards were specific to their families; some to mom and dad, some to two moms, some made two because they have multiple houses, and some included siblings. This activity I do all year for the different holidays that the children in the class celebrate.

Another way I create a sense of belonging for families is by having a poster up for Valentine's day with "love" in all the different languages the families at the centre speak. I could repeat this for all the different holidays that the families celebrate throughout the year and for the different seasons like the words for "sun" in the Summer.

For educators:

To create a sense of belonging in the classroom I make my classroom diverse with the toys. In the baby area the babies are all different. They have different skin tones so all the children will feel like they can see themselves in the toys.

Another way I create a sense of belonging in the classroom is by doing circle songs in French and in English. My preschool class has English and French speakers so we do "head shoulders knees and toes" as well as "tête épaules genoux et orteils".

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Well-being is the health and safety of children physically and mentally. It encompasses physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual health. It involves keeping children free from illness, physical harm, and emotional maltreatment.

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For children:

To create well-being for children I practice leading by example. At meal times I encourage the children to try all the food provided by the daycare and I set an example by eating well.

Another way I create well-being for children is by taking them outside twice daily, whether permitting, for outdoor play. Through outdoor play children learn to enjoy mouvenement and the fresh air and exercise promote physical and mental well-being.

For families:

To encourage well-being for children for their families I am aware of parenting drop-in clinics to reccomend to families that have health related questions for their children. These are a great way for parents to learn and to support their young children.

Another support for families that can be used is CHEO's first-words program. Through first words parents can find information on speech development and get help for their children if they are not developing as expected.

For educators:

As an educator I am certified in First Aid and CPR. This training keeps me prepared to care for children in emergencies and to recognise hazards.

I have taken the "Anaphalaxis in Childcare Settings" course through Allergy Aware. Allergies are common in young children and the best way we can prevent reactions as educators is by educating ourselves and being aware of the children who have allergies.

References:

First words program. CHEO. (n.d.). https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/clinics-services-programs/first-words-program.aspx

World class anaphylaxis education anytime, anyplace. Allergy Aware. (n.d.). https://www.allergyaware.ca/

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OPH Parenting In Ottawa Drop-in Clinics - Your new family's best friend

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Engagement is when children are active participants in their learning. It is hands-on learning. Through engagement children develop in all four of the developmental domains. They learn better and the learning is tailored to their specific interests and the interests of their classroom at a developmentally appropriate level.

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For children:

It is important for children to participate in their own learning. My preschool class is doing a hands-on science experiment with the change in weather. We collected snow, brought the snow inside, brought the melted snow outside, brought the ice inside, and now are leaving the snow outside in warmer weather. At each stage of this experiment the children examine what has happened to the snow. They make predictions on what will happen next and they use their senses to explore the snow, ice, and water in it's different states.

Another engagement opportunity for the children is to make playdough. The only thing I do as an educator is boil the water and mix in the hot water for safety. The children add the ingredients, decide on the colour, and mix the playdough. They then get to play with playdough they have made and explore the sensory and play aspects of playdough.

For families:

Creating posts through the online tool Story Park is a way where families can be engaged with the day to day and monthly curriculum their children are participating in.

Earlier this Winter my class put on a concert for their families. As all the children in the program celebrate Christmas the children practised a variation of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star called Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star. They practiced this song for weeks and then invited their parents to a show and performed. The parents were given lyrics and parcipated with their children.

As educators:

To engage the children I prepare circle time activities they can participate in that involve their favourite stories, favourite songs, or their interests. I crocheted The Very Hungry Caterpillar and all the foods it eats. When I read the story the children take turns feeding the caterpillar the foods and are engaged and participating in the circle time.

When singing songs with the children, I include props that they can use to be active in the song. For the song Five Little Ducks I have felt ducks that the children can add to or take away from the felt board and the children can have a visual so they can count the ducks themselves in between verses.

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Expression is the many forms children use to communicate. It is both what they communicate and us as educators listening to them. Expression can be verbal or non-verbal communication and it can also be through other forms like art, movement, and play.

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For children:

A circle time activity for children to express themselves is making up a story as a class. I will start with a prompt then ask each child to add to the story. The children get to express themselves through language and creativity.

A group art project is another way for children to express themselves. A big piece of paper is hung up at an art station and crayons, paint, or another media is provided. The children can choose when they are ready to express their art and what they want to create. The art can later be hung up in the classroom to encourage a sense of belonging.

For parents:

Communicating with parents at drop off and pick up is essential for the children's expression. As educators knowing how the child's morning was and for parents knowing how the child's day went we know the child better and are prepared for the ways they will express their feelings.

Working with parents we can share interests we have noticed their child is interested in and we can find out the interests they have at home that we can bring into the learning setting.

For Educators:

I make sign language a part of the curriculum in my preschool classroom. Through sign language the children have another way to express themselves and communicate. During songs I will add signs. We sign If You're Happy and You Know It with the emotions being signed.

When I am saying common words to the children like more, the bathroom, and help I sign these words as I say them. If we are ever in a situation where it is too loud or the child doesn't feel like talking or isn't yet able to verbally communicate they have another way of expressing their needs.

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Through the four foundations of How Does Learning Happen we, as educators, can support the learning and development of the children in our care. The best thing we can do to implement How Does Learning Happen is to get to know each child individually and get to know the children as a group. We can create a curriculum based around their interests and their development to help them learn best. Though each foundation is separate there is a lot of overlap and all the foundations come together through knowing the child and their unique interets.