COOL Time in Ducklings – Learning Through Play! 🧩🌈

If you walk past Ducklings Class during COOL Time (Choose Our Own Learning), you’ll likely see children deeply engaged in what looks like play. Activities like drawing, dressing up, climbing, painting, building and exploring. But behind the fun and laughter lies something very special… real, meaningful learning.

During COOL Time, children are given the freedom to follow their own interests and ideas, both indoors and outdoors. Whether they’re building a house for woodlice in the playground, racing on balance bikes or creating a story in the role-play area, they are developing essential early skills that lay the foundations for lifelong learning.

Here's just a snapshot of what’s really going on:

Thinking and Problem Solving - Building with Lego and experimenting with magnets encourages logical thinking, creativity and trial-and-error learning.

Gross and Fine Motor Skills - From climbing on the playground equipment to holding paintbrushes or pencils, children are strengthening both large and small muscle groups vital for writing, self-care and coordination.

Communication and Language - Whether they’re pretending to be knights, princesses or a bear, the children are developing their speech, vocabulary and storytelling skills through imaginative play.

Social and Emotional Development - Playing hide and seek, sharing resources or collaborating to build bug homes helps children learn how to take turns, negotiate, express feelings and build friendships.

Expressive Arts and Design - Through painting, drawing and role-play, children are exploring emotions, expressing ideas and building confidence in their creativity.

Understanding the World - Observing and caring for minibeasts like woodlice fosters a love of nature and helps develop early scientific thinking.

COOL Time may look like play, but it’s actually an essential part of our early years curriculum. It gives our Ducklings the chance to explore, imagine, experiment and connect with others, all at their own pace and in a way that suits their unique learning style.

It’s where independence grows, curiosity thrives and a love for learning begins. 💛