+ YMCA Playing to Learn Approaches to Early Childhood Education S. N. B. S. Z. KK. B.

+ YMCA Child Care Program’s Playing to Learn Curriculum YMCA Playing to Learn

+ Historical Background YMCA- Young Men’s Christian Association Oldest and largest movements for youth founded in YMCA- Playing to Learn was developed by Susanne T. Eden Ed. D. & Lorrie Huggins Ed. S (2001). Conceived in the YMCA of Greater Toronto and was piloted in the YMCA of Toronto’s Family Development Centre. National curriculum of YMCA early learning programs Implemented in Toronto in 1998 Across Canada in 2005/6 Core Values – Caring, Health, Honesty, Inclusiveness, Respect and Responsibility (Wing, 2014)

+ Key Elements of YMCA-Emergent Curriculum Research based- Brain development and how children learn best Philosophy: High Quality Child Care Play partnerships Scaffolding Exploration and creativity Observing and recording. Pedagogical narration. (Wing, 2014) Play focused curriculum includes: relationship based, emergent and responsive programming.

+ Aesthetics, home-like environment. Living things to care for. Language and literacy. Lifelong learning. Ongoing professional development. Annual external Evaluation- YMCA Playing to Learn - Implementation Assessment tool. Support Visits. Small groups. (Wing, 2014)

+ Role of the Educator Play Partner Role Model Scaffolding Observation Recording Documentation (Wing, 2014)

+ Role of the Environment Backbone of the curriculum. Third teacher. Calming and soothing colours. Organized. Flow comes naturally. Freedom to move (Wing, 2014)

+ YMCA Playing to Learn Observation – Planning Cycle

Observe play and interests Interpret observations of play and learning Create 3 written parts of Doc: Child’s story, Teacher /learning story and who agrees with you Create documents and display to share with others Collaborate to plan further experiences extending and scaffolding the interests (Wing, 2014)

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FOUNDATIONS MATHEMATIC, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NumeracyTechnologyScience LANGUAGE AND LITERACY ReadingWritingLanguage ARTS Visual ArtsMusicDramatic Play (Wing, 2014)

+ YMCA Playing to Learn aligns well with the social pedagogy – it uses ELECT Continuum of Development for daily journaling Takes into account all aspects of the child development – Physical, social, cognitive and emotional Children are taught sign language to communicate at an early age. (Wing, 2014)

+ Image of the Child The YMCA approach views children as unique individuals, co-learners who are curious by nature. They use their senses to explore and understand the world around them. This aligns with “How Does Learning Happen?”; which views the child as capable and rich with potential when surrounded by a healthy and safe environment and guided by a nurturing, supportive and knowledgeable staff members. (Wing, 2014)

+ YMCA Curriculum The YMCA approach is based on the social pedagogy, wherein the learning process takes place around the child’s needs and interests, and through play. Children Learn and enhance their developmental skills through play-based activities that are constructed through previous observations made by educators who are knowledgeable in early childhood theories and childhood development. (YMCAs across Southern Ontario, 2015)

+ Activity: Shape Recognition AGE OF CHILDREN: 2.5 – 6 years GOALS/OBJECTIVES: Shape Recognition – Math. Children will use shapes and glue to construct anything that of interest to them.  Form groups of 8 and each group should have 4-5 people.  Use the items provided to create anything you can think of.

+ The Activity The activity relates to the approach because it is play based. YMCA believes preschool years are exciting times. The YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum is a national play based curriculum which will allow children to discover learning through creative play. Hence, this activity gives children choice of creating and learning mathematical skills in an enthusiastic manner, while the educator scaffolds the children’s learning in a responsive caring way.

+ Any Comments?!

+ Questions?!!

+ Thank you!!!

+ References Hamilton, L. (n.d). YMCA of Western Ontario Youth Engagement Strategy. Retrieved from 3/Youth_Engagement_Brochure_web.pdf? Wing, C. (January 31, 2014). A6 an example of BC’s early learning framework in action: YMCA playing to learn a Pan-Canadian early childhood curriculum. Retrieved from 0Wing.pdf YMCAs across Southern Ontario. (2015). YMCA curriculum. Retrieved from YMCA of Greater Toronto. (2015, December, 1). YMCA child care program’s playing to learn curriculum. Retrieved from Ontario Ministry of Education (2014). How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Retrieved from