There has been a long-time debate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) about whether direct instruction or free play has more benefits for children's learning and development.

In recent years a shift toward “play-based learning” is gaining increasing support. It is an approach that combines the benefits of play and traditional teaching, particularly in an Early Childhood Education setting. "Play-based learning" is like an umbrella that holds together all similar educational approaches, including guided play.

According to a study Can guidance during play enhance children’s learning and development in educational contexts? guided play has three fundamental characteristics that provide an optimal learning experience for children in ECE.

Top3 Elements for Guided Play

One of the best, cheapest, and most effective ways to keep children healthy, is to teach them how to wash hands properly. Children need to learn to take care of their hygiene from early on. Washing hands frequently is one of the best habits a child can learn - and this habit will never be out of fashion whatever the age or season!

When children should wash their hands?

Here are some situations when it is recommended to wash hands. Children should wash their hands always when...

• arriving to daycare
• coming home
• before eating
• after being to the toilet
• after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• hands are visibly dirty

These are some simple guidelines that stop germs from spreading for example from bus to daycare or from supermarket to home. And of course, adults should follow all these guidelines as well.

Soap, soap, more soap!

First of all, the most important thing when washing hands is soap! Without bubbles, the germs are not going to vanish that easily.

It is not that important, whether the water is cold or hot - the main focus should be on the soapy water.

Also, even hand sanitizer does not kill all kinds of bacteria and viruses, for example, certain diarrhea-causing viruses. Therefore soap is the key! When hands are washed efficiently with soap, it is highly effective at killing most germs and pathogens.

All About Me -lesson plan sample

How to wash your hands properly?

Attachment means a whole lot to small children. The first and the most important attachment relationship is formed with the child's parent.

When the child grows up, also other important adults come into the child's life - for example educators. Therefore attachment is also a very important aspect to take care of in early childhood education.

If children feel safe and nurtured, it affects their overall well-being positively. Providing children with affection is a prerequisite for the healthy development of the brain, self-confidence, and the ability to form relationships in life.

In early childhood education, the stability of staff is very important when creating early attachment with children. Also, a calm, predictable, and regular daily schedule helps children feel safe.

The Circle of Security

The Circle of Security is a visual map of attachment. The “father” of the attachment theory is John Bowlby.

"Intimate attachments to other human beings are the hub around which a person's life revolves, not only as an infant or a toddler or a schoolchild but throughout adolescence and years of maturity as well, and on into old age. From these intimate attachments a person draws strength and enjoyment of life and, through what he contributes, gives strength and enjoyment to others. These are matters about which current science and traditional wisdom are at one."

Bowlby, J. (1980) Attachment and Loss: Volume 1. Attachment. Basic Books: New York.

Figure 1: The Circle of Security for the toddler and preschool years.

Guest post from Kindiedays partner MoovKids                                     

"Over the past few years, I have noticed a remarkable decline in the physical capabilities of the children who start classes with me. I am talking about their general body awareness, core strength, overall muscle tone, flexibility, and even the ability to follow verbal instructions about physical movement", says Darlene Koskinen the founder and CEO of MoovKids.

The challenge

The demanding workload and responsibility that teachers have to reach curriculum goals means that movement is not always considered a priority in early-years environments. It is not uncommon to find that children who have learning difficulties may also have poor body coordination. This is incredibly worrying, as it is through play and movement exploration that children become normal self-regulated people who are a joy to be with. Physical literacy should come first through regular movement and academic learning will naturally follow.

There is also increasing pressure on our children to learn to read and write before their brains and bodies are ready. Premature academic learning also affects their social and emotional well being, too. Sitting still for long periods is not natural for young children. Indeed, children learn best when they are having fun.

A new approach is needed

Happy Valentine's Day! In Finland, we celebrate friendships on Valentine's Day and in Finnish the day is called Ystävänpäivä = Friend's Day.

What is Friendship?

To establish and maintain friendships, children need various skills. Emotional and interaction skills are needed when meeting new people and maintaining friendships. Later in life, these skills do not go out of date - on the contrary.

However, children are not born with these important friendship skills, and so they need to be practised. Children must get possibilities to practise friendship skills already in early childhood. According to the Finnish Red Cross, practising friendship skills may even prevent various behavioural challenges and loneliness.

Friendship Skills with the Moomins programme

The Finnish Red Cross has developed a programme in which children can practice their Friendship Skills with the Moomins! Friendship skills with the Moomins learning materials can be used to practise friendship skills together with children.