ACTIONING INSPIRATION AND LEARNING: HOW “EXTREME MAKEOVER CLASSROOM EDITION” INSPIRED PROFESSIONALS
A wonderful group of early years professionals from Orchard Park Early Learning Centre attended a Strive event called “Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition” facilitated by Ally Scott and Kathy Harris and were ultimately eager and inspired to make changes to their centre’s environment. The magic began unfolding and the changes kept flowing. Keep reading to go along the journey of their transformation, and to learn about the amazing impact it had on themselves, their practice, and the children in their care… you may even be inspired to start your own classroom makeover!
The Inspiration
On October 25th, 2023, a group of early years professionals from Orchard Park Early Learning Centre attended “Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition” facilitated by none other than Strive’s manager (currently on maternity leave), Ally Scott and Kathy Harris, RECE, Centre Director and Pedagogical Lead. In this session, they toured a childcare centre and collected ideas through what they saw and heard and were ultimately eager and inspired to make changes at their own centre.
Following the session, this team instantly began brainstorming how they could transform their own space to intentionally see the environment as the third teacher. The team wanted to create an environment where a sense of belonging and comfort were top priorities. They researched many different childcare centers in the world, particularly drawn to Reggio Emilia approaches with pieces of Waldorf School ideas tied in.
A big focus on loose parts play was prioritized using natural materials to provide children with open-ended engagement opportunities. Feeling as though the wide open spaces in their classroom encouraged running and climbing, the children weren’t engaged even when provided materials that the educators felt sparked interest. The team understood that change was imminent, but were unsure of where to begin. There they sat with big ideas, excited to make things happen.
The Action
When the educators noticed that daily, children were dumping toys and leaving areas without even sitting to play, they used this as a motivator and a starting point. The educators wanted meaning and intention in the experiences offered to the children, to see joy and interest in the children’s engagement with materials. The children deserved meaning in their play and the team deserved a connection to their work. Observing this situation, they noticed the children’s engagement and interest in spatial exploration and containment to transferring and transporting items. Their first step into action was adding train tracks with smaller wooden cars as well as build-your-own wooden cars. These were far more engaging and sparked conversation amongst the children. They were working together, problem-solving together, and PLAYING!
“‘The day we took the toys away’ will forever be the statement that inspired and empowered the change to create a space that felt comforting, and inviting, and a place where the children were curious and excited about the materials around them.”
Realizing that they had tooooo muchhhhh stuff, the team slowly minimized what was on shelves and intentionally brought in new materials for the children to explore. The team prioritized the gathering of materials and the funds to “makeover” the classroom. This experience was not cheap. There was intention and meaning also placed on the money spent on reimagining the space. The team bought previously loved furniture and picked out well-kept pieces intentionally. Room dividers were used to create play/work spaces and helped create a space that felt cozy and warm; less like a classroom and into an environment that everyone felt happy to be a part of, and a place that sparked joy and love. Admittedly, it was overwhelming for them at first, and everyone was hesitant about where to start with all of the new additions. The team persevered, and as things were being placed around the room, the vision began to come together and the joy was so palpable, there was squealing. The educators felt inspired and invigorated; their connection to their work was back!
“It felt so strange to take away toys leaving only animals, wooden tracks, babies and dinosaur manipulatives and completely covering the tables and shelves with loose parts: pine cones, wicker balls, tiles and coffee cans, miniature tree blocks, trays, boxes, etc.”
“To say the least, the first few days of the change was overwhelming for all of us. The children were so excited and just traveled from one thing to the next, examining the materials and exploring the space”.
While the children were exploring the materials and the excitement over newness and an environment facelift, the educators were not quite seeing the engagement they had hoped for.
By day 3, there was worry that this whole rethinking had been a mistake.
“It felt wild and overstimulating as we tried to engage with them. So we reframed and researched. We read many different articles about loose parts that allowed us to understand what the children needed with the materials and what they needed or didn't need from us. Did you know there are 5 phases of loose parts play?…neither did we. And boy was that an eye opener as well as a feeling of relief to know that we were on the right track. No surprise they just needed time to adjust and so did we.”
“We needed to drop the narrative about ‘how you play’ with an item or ‘where to play’ with an item. We role-modeled for the children that we respected our materials and encouraged cleaning up after we play. We all work together and it's just such a great feeling. They are such capable individuals who, if we listened to more clearly while observing their play we probably could have been further along in the process. The room gets disastrous at times, but now we look at it and smile. We smile that they're busy, engaged, happy and playing.”
The Outcome
About a month after their classroom transformation, the team couldn't be more thrilled with the results. The children were busy, they were engaged, and they were playing. Now, they are dealing with a renewed sense of respect for the classroom and are observing children’s friendships grow as they work together instead of shouting “That's mine!”. The children are problem-solving, expressing themselves in creative ways, and inviting the educators to imaginative play all throughout the day. The educators can see problem-solving skills emerging, improved self-regulation and so much curiosity.
“Did you ever feel like you just couldn't wait to go outside because the children just needed to run? So did we. Now we are having such a different experience where the engagement levels are so high that it's hard to disrupt them at all. Their minds are busy and great things are happening. I mean, it's not always perfect and it is a learning journey that we are all on together, but the passion it has brought back to our work and the engagement with the children make our hearts swell.”
Now, these educators have so much more time to spend with the children, and much of that time they use for observing and collecting information on how they can scaffold their learning. When the children invite these educators into play by asking questions or waving them over to see their work, the educators can be present and engaged in these interactions.
“You can do it too!! If you really want it, make it happen. Remember the sky's the limit. It brought us back to our roots and we found the love in our careers again as we watched all our hard work surface in a clear picture every day. Start small, feel things out, and dive into the glorious world of open-ended materials otherwise known as loose parts. Take the journey, you are worth it, they are worth it, we are worth it. Allow it to spark your passion and keep the flame high. Our work is so important so let's celebrate and use the knowledge and power that we have.”
This blog post was written in collaboration with Lauren Goosens RECE, Lindsay Lamb RECE & Tracy Small RECE from the Orchard Park Early Learning Centre.
Top to bottom: Lindsay Lamb, Tracy Small, Lauren Goosens
Interested in more about this story? Check out the podcast episode below where they chat more about it!
Come see this transformation in person and chat with the team about the new and improved space! Consider registering for a Site Tour at Orchard Park Early Learning Centre happening on May 22, 2024. Click the button below to learn more!