The Role Of Adults In The Early Years' Settings

The Role of Adults in the Early Years Settings From September 2008 we all have to follow new Foundation Stage Curriculum. And it’s not a secret that many of us struggled for the first half a year or so, trying to juggle observations, forms, planning, and research with normal day to day activities looking after children and just going on with our jobs. We looked on internet, we talked to other nurseries, and we attended courses – in one word we have suffered greatly for the just course! In the end the not so new idea has emerged! Everything has to be child centred; it is all about children and their needs.   We were also told that if we look closely at the new documents there is no word “Teaching” but “learning”! Suddenly teaching was equalled to structure and structure to something very bad to have in the Nursery. This negative connotation stuck to the word “teaching” like a fly to a sticky paper.  We even lost a privilege to be called teachers, and became Practitioners. Children needs are important and we are not arguing with this but don’t we take for granted people who actually make this learning happen? We are so obsessed with trying to figure out what children need that we are forgetting about adults whose dedication makes that important difference for individual child.    Working as a teacher has its challenges. But it has its rewards too. And we are here to make the difference, using our talents and knowledge to make learning fun and interesting so every child could reach its potential. We have new programme to cope with as teachers and we must be more confident in our approach. It might look that the role of an adult in the educational settings was diminished and overshadowed by this very strong accent on children’s needs. And no wonder that ‘practitioners’ feel lost in two huge books of rules and examples. We have also berried ourselves under cards which were created for our better understanding. Once you read it all you will have a feeling that you already know it and this is because it all came from different documents we all have to study before (like National Standards, Birth to Three Matters and Foundation Stage Curriculum).   The new thing is the approach. We can make it work because we know how it was done and we know what we must change to make it better. We have understanding and the knowledge how to do it, we just have to trust ourselves more, after all most of us have been at it for some time and have mountains of experience to manage any change.  But no matter how much it all changes now or in the future, the basic concept of teaching will stay the same. There will be youngsters who will need to learn new skills, because it is in a human nature and that’s what makes us human, and there will be adults who can provide this experience for them, through subtle teaching or other teaching strategies.   A responsible adult with common sense is not a disadvantage for learning. We refuse to be reduced to the classroom furniture status and be passive ‘lookers and listeners’. We understand like no one else the importance for a child to follow his or hers individual learning plan and we are able to make the whole setting revolve around children’s interests and needs. But by doing so we mustn’t forget about adults’ role in this big plan. It is all about teaching strategies, yes, teaching. Children will learn if they are taught, and subtle approach – no teaching- is not new for us. They will learn independently or from other children but only if given opportunities to do so. And that is a teaching strategy. They will learn through play but if we organise the resources and give them time and place to do so. And that is a teaching strategy too.   The role of adults in the early years settings is enormous, and don’t let anyone to tell you differently. Just think about all those things you do on day-to-day basis and you will feel more confident and more satisfied with the outcomes of your work. For example, as an adult you are a role model for children. They will look at you and learn what is right and what is wrong and they will learn the manners and behaviour, simply because it’s in their nature to copy grown ups. You are an encouragement for learning new skills. You are a provider of opportunities and mediator for creating friendships if they need help. You are a listener and a friend. And you are a challenger and a helper.   Teaching is not outdated it’s just got more advanced and subtle. It is unfair to diminish the role of adults in the early years\' settings because we are there to create the learning environment, to maintain it and to make sure it works. That is a commitment!