Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.4: Contribute to enabling play environments
Learning outcome: Be able to support children’s behaviour and socialisation within play environments
Assessment criteria: Plan an environment which supports children’s socialisation and group learning
In a previous section, we explored how Early Years practitioners can provide for group learning and socialisation within a setting.
To achieve this assessment criterion, you will need to demonstrate that you are able to plan an environment which supports socialisation and group learning.
One key element of this is creating sufficient spaces that allow for both individual and group activities.
Providing materials and resources which promote cooperation between the children such as board games or Lego, as well as places where they can be physically active, will help foster collaboration among them. Resources should also be easily accessible to children and furniture should be the correct height for them.
Additionally, having flexible room division and seating options can remove some of the boundaries between different age groups and provide more opportunities for interaction. Ensuring there are quiet areas within the setting gives the children a chance to reflect or calm down if needed, while also allowing groups to split up if necessary.
It is also important for practitioners to plan activities that support socialisation among children – of course, activities must be appropriate for the children’s age and stage of development.