To reflect upon the skills children require to participate in shared activities
Aim
To reflect upon the skills children require to participate in shared activities.
Evidence and reflection
Observe children engaged in a group activity, perhaps in the home corner or the story corner. Identify children who you would consider core members of the group. Are they deeply involved and fully participating in the activity? Identify children who you would consider peripheral members of the group. Are they on the periphery of the group but perhaps ‘legitimate peripheral participants’ (Wenger, 1998)? Are they partly involved but lacking in some skills or confidence to fully participate?
You will need to observe closely to determine whether all children are participating fully and if not, why not. Consider the barriers to children becoming fully participant – is it:
through choice?
lack of certain skills?
lack of confidence?
cultural difference?
Finally, consider whether your organization of the activity has created any barriers to children participating fully. For example, are the resources familiar and relevant to all?
