Glen Education St John's
Joy in Children's Spaces and Places
Nina Wright, Early Childhood Teacher
Preeti Patel- Early Childhood Educator
To me, shared joy is being able to see a manifestation of the relationships between us and the children who attend our kindergarten. We might be able to provide fantastical spaces, and beautiful resources, and both of these are very important things to have in children’s spaces. But! Without the reciprocal relationships between educators, children and families, joyful moments would be difficult to find.
What is joy? We could be here for hours, trying to pinpoint it. In kindergarten, I think joy is an assured bursting forth of almost too much good. It lives in slow moments and in genuine and authentic relationships with one another. An ability to “just go with it” and see where it takes you. If you are happy to be led by 3 and 4-year-olds, that is!
We adopted our Guinea pigs and for the first couple of days I really wondered if this was the best idea I had ever had and held my breath to see what would happen. They were a bit on the shy side, they hid…a lot! And what good would a little creature be to teaching, if all it did was hide (the internal dialogue was savage, folks!). You know, I really should have had faith in our children. Their patience was a master class in sustained curiosity and respectful waiting.
There it was – the bubble of joy – tiny at first. . . it started with the children just looking, asking questions about what our little furry friends would eat and do. When and how they sleep (eyes open if scared, eyes closed if comfortable/safe). Milkshake and Bean must have known on some level that we were waiting, and sure enough, they came out of their hidey-hole more and more, started eating their food with small human faces mere inches away, and finally accepted nibbles from out of the children’s hands.
That was weeks ago, the 'piggies' (as we lovingly call them) have grown plump, their fur shiny and evident of the excellent care received from multiple little hands on a daily basis. This morning, for hours we’ve been harvesting overgrown grass from all over our yard. The promise of spring and summer sun on our backs, Josie and Emily are next to me, smiles on their faces. Josie: “This is so good, Nina! We are cutting the grass, making it tidy AND the piggies get their food!”. Yes, Ms Josie, this is SO GOOD!
Joy has the power to connect the dots of learning. It mostly is inspired by your children and how their experiences while at kindergarten are shaped, influenced, scaffolded, supported, enriched, made safe, and made risky, by the adults with whom they spend their time – that’s us, your teaching team!
Sharing a genuine laugh or seeing a child's bright smile can be incredibly heartwarming. These moments of pure happiness can quickly spread and uplift the entire classroom environment. I believe it’s a real joy. Joy at work for an educator involves finding delight in the daily interactions, activities, and connections with the children. At St Johns we encompass the positive emotions and satisfaction that come from creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment, fostering children's growth and development, and witnessing their progress and achievements.
Joy in kindergarten, fostered by educators, can have a profound impact on children's learning and development. Here's how:
Brain Development: Positive emotions, like joy, release chemicals in the brain that enhance cognitive processes. When children experience joy, their brains are more receptive to learning, memory formation, and problem-solving.
Self-esteem and Confidence: Positive interactions and experiences contribute to a child's self-esteem and confidence. Joyful educators provide positive reinforcement, recognizing and celebrating children's achievements. For example, we provide a care-taker role for a day, with a badge for children, to boost their confidence. For that day, they know it is their responsibility to take care of the fish, or guinea pigs or to be responsible for bringing the bins in/out for mealtimes. They take these roles very seriously and have great pride in completing them earnestly.
Positive Environment: When educators exude joy, it creates a warm and inviting environment. Children feel safe, comfortable, and eager to explore their surroundings and engage in activities. Our children are waiting for the next day to come to kindergarten.
Emotional Well-being: Joyful interactions help children feel emotionally secure, reducing anxiety and stress. When children are emotionally well, they are more open to learning and exploring new things. We practice yoga and other healthy habits for a healthy life.
Engagement and Curiosity: Joyful educators often use creative and exciting teaching methods, which pique children's curiosity and encourage them to actively participate in activities. Children are more motivated to learn when they find joy in the process. So far, our children have shown amazing interest in nature, planting, community walks and intergenerational interactions, discussions about life cycles and much more!
Creativity and Imagination: Joyful play and activities stimulate children's creativity and imagination. Children are engaged in drawing, painting, and art and craft tables, where they create self-portraits, paintings, box art creations and express and process their emotions.
Joy also has significant effects on educators, impacting their well-being, teaching effectiveness, and overall job satisfaction. It not only enhances their personal well-being but also transforms the teaching and learning environment into a vibrant, positive, and effective space for children's growth and development. Here's how joy affects educators:
Healthy Relationships: Joyful educators build stronger relationships with children, colleagues, and parents. Their positive attitude fosters trust and open communication, creating a supportive and collaborative environment.
Emotional Well-being: Joyful experiences positively influence educators' emotional well-being. Interacting with happy and engaged children can uplift their mood and reduce stress levels, leading to a healthier and more positive mindset.
This year, as educator, I have enjoyed forming deep connections with individual children. That helps me and the children to work collaboratively. I love watching children actively participate in educational activities with enthusiasm and curiosity, as they eagerly explore new ideas and concepts. I enjoy watching them become more confident in day-to-day tasks such as packing lunch boxes away, putting on their shoes/tying laces, rolling up and packing away their rest mat independently, engaging in a group play and group learning.
To me, there is no learning without joy!