Characteristics of Effective Learning
The Characteristics of Effective Learning at Sherwood Green focus on encouraging children to be engaged, motivated, and thoughtful in their learning process. These characteristics are key to helping children become confident, curious, and resilient learners. Here’s how we implement these principles:
Playing & Exploring
ENGAGEMENT
Children learn best through active exploration. At Sherwood Green, we provide open-ended, stimulating resources that can be moved, combined, and used in different ways. Resources are chosen to reflect children’s interests, inviting curiosity about objects, events, and people. Through play, children engage their senses, explore the world around them, and take part in flexible indoor and outdoor activities designed for building, moving, and role-playing. We also offer quiet areas with limited noise and visually calming spaces to support concentration. First-hand experiences are planned to encourage children to take on challenges and confidently “have a go.”
Active Learning
MOTIVATION
Motivation is key for children to stay focused and persistent. Our activities are designed to keep children involved, helping them to concentrate, persevere through challenges, and find joy in reaching their goals. By observing what captures each child’s curiosity, we can provide experiences that are intrinsically motivating and encourage deeper involvement. Our skilled practitioners give children the time and freedom to explore and remain focused on activities that interest them, fostering an environment where children are motivated to learn and succeed.
Creating & Thinking Critically
THINKING
We encourage children to think independently, connect ideas, and make choices about how they approach tasks. Our learning environment is designed to support critical thinking, where children can express their thought processes, explore their ideas, and follow them through. Activities are planned to allow children to experiment with materials before engaging in specific tasks, enabling them to be flexible and creative. Predictable routines help children feel secure, allowing them to connect experiences, gain confidence, and pursue their ideas in a supportive environment.