Inspiring Awe and Wonder in the Early Years
August 2, 2023 8:47 am
The concept of awe and wonder is embedded in the Ofsted inspection handbook with the statement that…
‘It is the role of the setting to help children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live, through the seven areas of learning.’ (Ofsted, 2019)
This means that settings need to reflect on how they will include opportunities for awe and wonder in the curriculum. Not only that but there is a need to understand how to respond to spontaneous opportunities for appreciating wonder. However, what does this mean in practice?
What is meant by awe and wonder?
In order to make the most of opportunities to experience awe and wonder, it’s first important to understand what is meant by this term. Forget expensive resources which break the budget, instead, keep it simple. Think about the magical things that seem small but can have a huge impact. A rainbow after an April shower, the first buds in spring, the smell of rain falling on a summer’s day, a frosty cobweb in the garden, or raindrops plopping in a puddle. To us as adults who have seen these things countless times, we perhaps lose appreciation for the magic of such moments. Through the eyes of a child, these pockets of awe and wonder are totally awe-inspiring. Fascinations are recognised as being a way to nurture learning as well as encourage a love of nature and the environment.
How can we promote awe and wonder within the setting?
Children in the Early Years have a natural drive to be curious. They show interest in the adults around them and, most notably, the environment in which they play and learn. We can take inspiration from children by enabling them to take the lead. This starts by focusing on the key person approach, a requirement of the EYFS. When educators develop strong, trusting relationships with the children in their care, they build a picture of their interests, personalities, preferences, and characteristics of effective learning. We also begin to understand what inspires them to be curious within the environment, therefore enabling us to nurture this. Through these connections, we can help children to make sense of what they see, hear, and touch, bringing the world to life. It is our job to tune in to children, seeing the magic of the world through their eyes. This means drawing their attention to magical moments which we can build into practice and provision. Time to be outdoors, bug hunting, creating a wild area to attract different creatures to be observed, exploring shadows, seeing the first buds appear in spring, and walking through the frosty grass are all things that can inspire children to stop and wonder.
It is the culture and ethos of the setting which ultimately determines the pedagogical approach and therefore the appreciation of awe and wonder. By facilitating a culture in which children are valued, listened to, and respected, settings can embed awe and wonder as part of their usual practice and provision. This means that educators need to engage in regular reflection in order to assess the effectiveness of the environment in engaging children as well as nurturing moments of awe and wonder. Observations are key to understanding how resources are used and whether modifications can be made to the provision in order to support children to seek awe and wonder. Think about what it is like to be a child in your setting. Are there opportunities to be amazed?
Language associated with awe and wonder
The way we interact with children when they experience awe and wonder can influence how they respond. It is our language that helps children to make sense of their experiences and understand the emotions they are feeling. Educators can label these emotions to develop emotional literacy, using words such as peaceful, happy, calm, surprised, and excited. These opportunities can build connections as adults and children experience awe and wonder together. Children can be immersed in the moment and look to us as role models for cues that help them process what they are feeling. This might be in words but can also be through actions. It is up to us to share in the ‘wow’ of the moment.
Finally…
Be open to experiencing awe and wonder yourself, noticing the magic in the natural world. This will help you to tune into the joy children feel, enabling you to respond sensitively in order to inspire further curiosity and creativity. From this, you can be led by the children in your setting and their natural curiosity, collaborating together to celebrate magical moments. Appreciate the connections you develop with children – sometimes we just need to slow down and open our eyes to what is around us.
