Episode 4 – Introduction to the Exploration Developmental Pathway with Jacqueline Hooban of Cylch Meithrin Llanbedr near Harlech.
This is the fourth in our Baby Steps into the Curriculum podcast series by Mudiad Meithrin, a series of podcasts explaining what the new Curriculum for Wales means for the Mudiad’s children, staff and families.
Jacqueline Hooban has been Leader of Cylch Meithrin Llanbedr near Harlech for a year. She originally came from Liverpool, but when she was eight her family moved to Wales and Jacqueline learned Welsh. She didn’t find it easy to learn the language, but by now she is very proud of her skill and enjoys promoting it among the cylch’s children and families.
Jacqueline’s mother’s family hail from Nigeria, and she is enthusiastic about ensuring that the children of Cylch Meithrin Llanbedr have the opportunity to enjoy every culture, especially through the Exploration Learning Pathway.
“For me, the Exploration Learning Pathway is such an important part of the new Curriculum. As cylchoedd we tried to be as inclusive as possible, and here we have introduced a number of new elements in order to expand the experience of exploring. We have sarees in the dressing up area, black dolls in the toy box, and books depicting a variety of cultures and skin colours. It’s vital that children explore different cultures from a young age in order to eradicate stigma.”
During the talk with Nia, Jacqueline discussed how the Exploration Learning Pathway focuses on following the child, allowing them the freedom to explore and develop at their own level and pace. We also hear how the Mudiad places emphasis on open-air exploration;
“It is important to us that we give children the opportunity to explore and develop in the open air. Here in Llanbedr we make the most of it being a rural area, allowing the children plenty of time in the natural world, in all weathers! They sing to the birds in the trees, gather twigs, stones, pine comes and anything else that catches their eye – they’re in charge and they love being outside! It’s fascinating how they use the things they find outside to create stories, play with sand and even stamp the pinecones in clay and sand, they have lots of fun!”
We hear how the Curriculum gives children the freedom to explore with each one of their senses. The children in Llanbedr better love experimenting with the lights that come from the disco ball and have no end of fun with sand!
“The children love the sand area! They create all sorts of games and scenes with the sand. One minute it’s a suitcase, then they are drawing in it or putting glitter in it, and the next minute it’s a kitchen or they’re making sand cups of tea! It goes everywhere, but we don’t mind because the children love it and develop all sorts of skills.”
A mother of four, Jacqueline is obviously thrilled with the new Curriculum;
“It’s great, now it’s all about the children. They get even more freedom and develop faster. They are very happy, and so are we, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Baby Steps into the Curriculum is a Bengo Media and Llais Cymru production for Mudiad Meithrin. To listen to this episode and others in the series, go to www.podfollow.com/babysteps
