Here is a den I made with my fellow students. We worked together to build the den using different materials. Den building is an important part of young children's learning in order for them to use their imagination and develop holistically. Below shows a snapshot of how it can be linked to the 7 areas of learning and development and the characteristics of effective learning.
Physical Development:
Using fine motor skills to hold fabric together using pegs.
Communication & Language:
Use gestures and talk as a means of communicating.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development:
Work together as a team encouraging turn taking.
Numeracy:
Discuss shapes, size and use measurements to build to solve problems.
Literacy:
Label materials and encourage children to say the words as they see them. Encourage children to make up their own story as they decide what the den will look like and how the den will be used when it is complete.
Understanding the world:
Encourage the children to talk about their own experiences of places and journeys.
Expressive arts & design:
Children will use a range of materials to explore senses and ignite their imagination to express themselves.
Characteristics of effective learning:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
Using fine motor skills to hold fabric together using pegs.
Communication & Language:
Use gestures and talk as a means of communicating.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development:
Work together as a team encouraging turn taking.
Numeracy:
Discuss shapes, size and use measurements to build to solve problems.
Literacy:
Label materials and encourage children to say the words as they see them. Encourage children to make up their own story as they decide what the den will look like and how the den will be used when it is complete.
Understanding the world:
Encourage the children to talk about their own experiences of places and journeys.
Expressive arts & design:
Children will use a range of materials to explore senses and ignite their imagination to express themselves.
Characteristics of effective learning:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically