Tidying Up – Child’s Play!
 
People often ask us “Where do we put everything” and “How do we manage to get tidied up by the end of our session?”  It's certainly no mean feat and as a ‘Packaway’ setting we need to leave the hall, clean, tidy and ready for the next user to come in.
 
Over the years we have reflected on our practice and found that the best way is to let the children help. Why, you might ask when they are here to play and learn. Well, children learn better when they can see adults modelling. Children love nothing more than being actively involved in doing the things that adults do and by tidying away together, we as adults, are modelling to children to value the resources we have and to respect our environment.
 
So many learning opportunities are possible when putting things away, but how do we engage children?
 
Firstly, there is nothing worse than having to stop what you are doing because someone is shouting “tidy up time” with no word of warning, especially when you are in the middle of building a racing car from Mobilo or building a magnificent tower from blocks, so giving a warning is key.
 
We use three red dots on velcro, we tell the children that we are going to pack away in three dots, then two dots etc. By the time the dots are finished, the children know what's coming. To signal the tidy-up time we play the song ‘Tidy Up’ by Nick Cope. The red dots and song act as a visual and audio timetable so children know what's coming up next.
 
Then, while the song is playing, we, as adults, model to the children returning things to where they belong. By asking the children questions such as “Where does this live?”  they must use their communication skills to first, listen to the question, then think about it, and then decide where it goes. Now don't get me wrong, initially, there are a few children that always need to go to the toilet at this time or desperately need a drink, but on the whole, with encouragement and praise, most children will do the right thing and help.
 
Organisation is key to tidying up effectively and having an environment where boxes of toys are all labelled with pictures helps.
 
Being effective at tidying up isn't about speed, (although it does help on occasion!) it's about valuing the learning that takes place as part of the process. There are many opportunities to explore shape, number, matching, sorting, classifying, and learning new vocabulary and concepts, such as positional language.
 
The children's absolute favourite thing is lifting heavy things. Showing how strong they are, rolling up the rugs and carrying them together demonstrates teamwork, of course, there is always an adult to make sure that they can't hurt themselves.
 
Heavy work activities that push, pull or lift the body are a sensory activity and this proprioceptive input helps them to understand where their body is and what it should be doing. It also supports the vestibular sense controlling balance and movement.
 
These gross motor skills that children develop using their whole body, support muscle development which in turn, develops fine motor skills to support early writing.
 
Who knew that tidying up was so important to child development and learning? With careful consideration, this mundane daily routine can run smoothly and become a meaningful way of teaching and embedding various skills. As well as gaining a sense of accomplishment from completing a task which reinforces their belief in their capabilities and encourages them to take on new challenges.
 
Have a watch of our video of the children helping with the tidying up to see how good they are!
 
 
 
The red dot system is a great way to warn for many things. Having a little pocket-sized version means you can use it anywhere. For example, in three dots, you need to put your shoes/coat on. If you are in the park, in three dots, we need to go home. You, the adult, control the amount of time between the dots. It’s not a timer, it’s you being in control. Give it a try!
 

Play can be a messy business!!
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Children often throw themselves wholeheartedly into the business of exploring the world around them, with little concern for grass stains on their clothes and paint in their hair and clothes and at Bramble Brook Pre-School we feel that is exactly how it should be!

Often parents can get very hung up on muddy or messy clothing at the end of a busy day but the children never notice. When parents voice concerns over the appropriateness of messy play we often feel very under pressure to send home very clean and tidy children at the cost of limiting playful sensory learning and discovery.

At Bramble Brook Pre-School we have a mud kitchen, an outdoor sand pit (which is generally a bit sludgy this time of year thanks to the lovely British weather), we dig in the dirt, we paint, we use felt tips, we visit the park and slide on our bottoms and we play in the water. Sometimes we can come home looking like we have done all of these things in one day! The important thing to remember is that it all washes off!

Messy play is really important and key skills are developed as children engage in these experiences. Take a look at the picture below :

​You can help us by:

• Dressing your child in old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
• Purchase uniform t shirts so you don't get your own clothes messy.
• Remember to bring several changes of clothes 
• Dress appropriately for the weather. ie. wellie boots & raincoats.
• We will provide aprons but will not stop a child from learning if they don't want to put one on.

Please remember that the marks on children's clothes, the pockets filled with sand, the paint in their hair are all indicators of future architects, artists and scientists in training. If we worry too much about wet or dirty clothes we can place a real dampener on the spirit of learning and self discovery. Please never think that your child is dirty because a member of staff is too lazy to put an apron on them! 

Please remember that from the day your child joins us, we are preparing them for life long learning. If your child comes home spotlessly clean it means that they are not trying to be independent, or creative, but most of all messy means they've had lots of fun trying!