Holistic Play-Based Goals help us see the learning in the play

Holistic Play-Based Goals help us see the learning in the play

"The word holistic means that we always consider the whole child in our work - intricately entwined in relationships, in play, in learning, and the environment" (Flight 3.1) In our Playdate programs we use the holistic play-based goals to guide not only our programming but our practices with children. The goals help us see that everything children do has meaning for them. The goals are: *Well-Being: emotional health, positive self-identity, and physical health *Play and Playfulness: imagination and creativity, playful exploration and problem solving, and dizzy play *Communication and Literacies: communicative practices, multimodal literacies, and literate identities with/in communities *Diversity and Social Responsibility: inclusiveness and equity, democratic practices, and sustainable futures These goals help us see children as citizens "members of a diverse community who have caring relationships and responsibility for both the social and physical world." (Flight 3.1) In our Playdate world these goals look like playing and having fun with leaders who understand how children learn best and guide the program so that the children are always learning as they play.

Here are some examples of ways we foster these holistic play-based goals:

When we exercise we learn to care for ourselves and we learn that we are important. We understand that physical health is connected to mental health.

When we play we understand that learning is fun! We test ideas, make decisions and problem solve.

We encounter multi-modlal literacies throughout all of our play. When we explore written, spoken, sung and physical language we expand our vocabulary and our understanding of the world around us.

When we help out and participate in out communities we learn social responsibility and that we are capable of being a productive member of that community. We learn there are many different peoples with many different skills and that we all must work together to foster our world.

When your child comes home from a playdate program don't ask "what did you do today?". Instead, ask:

"What exercise did you do today?"

"What new thing did you imagine or see today?"

"What was your favourite word today?"

"Who did you help today?"

Let's make a date for a Playdate!