Why the Rush

Recently, our teams have been intentionally implementing strategies and processes that helps everyone to 'slow down' - taking onboard the knowledge and learnings from slow pedagogy in ways that are meaningful and helpful in their environments.

As Tam, our Educational Leader at our Green Point Service, explains "Slow pedagogy in early childhood education is an approach that emphasizes taking time to engage deeply with children's learning experiences, moving away from hurried schedules and rigid curriculums to embrace a more thoughtful, responsive way of teaching. This method prioritizes the quality of learning interactions over the quantity of content delivered, allowing educators to tune into the individual interests and developmental paces of each child.

In the hustle of early childhood education, we often find ourselves moving quickly from one task to another. But let’s pause and think—why the rush? This time in a child's life is perfect for gently exploring the wonders of the world and soaking up knowledge, not just racing through curriculumn.

For many children, our center might be the only place where they can really go at their own pace. The way we pace our day can greatly influence not just our environment, but also our relationships, each child's well-being, and how we all connect with each other and the materials we learn from."

As we come to the end of year, we typically have team members, children and families, who are all speeding through the days at a frantic space - this time of year can cause a lot of anxiety in children and in homes, and it's very important for us to reflect on our role in our communities, and what we can do to support each other. One way we can do this, is by slowing everything down, just a little bit.

"Slow pedagogy reminds us that rich, meaningful play takes time. It’s through this unhurried approach that children connect more deeply, develop their creativity, and experience the joy of collaborative building. Together, they’re learning, growing, and creating their own flow" Tam explains.

"The concept of 'Being With' is also important. It’s about being fully present and connected with the children, the other adults, and the materials we're working with. This means tuning into the children’s rhythms and needs, and responding to them in the moment. By really engaging with the children and being in the moment with them, we can support their learning in a much deeper way."

This concept and understanding of the benefit of 'slow' is something we can all take into our lives, especially at this time of year. Slow down enough so that we can value the present moment, be thoughtful and engage meaningfully with each other.

We are after all, all in this together.