Work in Progress Signs: How Children Make Choices About When to Finish an Activity or a Game
Crossroads and Killygordon Community Playgroup is a part-time morning service. The children are aged two years and eight months to five years and are in two rooms.
• At the start of each year, the educators make laminated ‘Work in Progress’ signs for the children in both playrooms.
• During Circle Time, educators explain to the children that these are signs that a child can put on a game, drawing or other activity if they need to take a break, go to the toilet, or have a snack. The sign indicates that they have not finished the activity and that no one should touch their work while they are away.
• They invite the children to decorate the signs with stickers or to draw on them.
• The signs are put in a special shelf or box and the children can take a sign any time they need one.
• Educators encourage children to use the work in progress signs, which can stay on an activity or toy for as long as children want. If toys or activities are very popular, educators encourage children to take turns and use 3- or 5 minute timers to negotiate a finishing up time with children.
How the babies, toddlers and young children were ensured SPACE, VOICE, AUDIENCE and INFLUENCE
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Voice:
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Audience:
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