Learning how to learn...

You might remember that we spent lots of time earlier in the year supporting children's knowledge about how they learned something. It focused primarily in the physical challenge area as the children could recognise their achievements easily.  Our NZ early childhood curriculum has such a emphasis on thinking skills- of  taking an interest, finding ways to get involved, tackling difficulty and persevering. Qualified teaching interactions are always provoking and challenging children to feel successful and confident as they tryout new things and challenge themselves to complete what they start. Our session is designed to allow these interactions to happen.
Here's a well respected and oft cited  researcher and writer in the field of Education talking about 'the power of believing that you can improve' based on her work in the states. It resonates for us as it shows the basic philosophy of early childhood education at work when done well - teaching children to be flexible thinkers and problem solvers....