Imagine a world where children’s imaginations soar beyond the glow of a screen. A world where giggles erupt from face-to-face interactions and tiny hands explore the wonders around them. We believe in creating this world at Starfish Early Learning Centres (Starfish ELC).
At Starfish ELC, our philosophy centres on nurturing the whole child. We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration, creative play, and social interaction. These experiences allow them to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. Our limited use of digital platforms is an intentional part of our philosophy. Our educators utilise laptops and tablets for research alongside the children, which enhances the hands on learning the children participate in throughout the day. Children have more time to immerse themselves in enriching experiences, fostering their natural curiosity, creativity, and social connections in a way that technology cannot replicate.
Benefits of limiting screen time
Studies have shown a trend in the increase of screen time for young Australian children, and their families. Our lives have become easier with on demand television, home delivered meals and groceries, games and other instant entertainment. But alongside these conveniences, comes some negative affects – including difficulties with focus and attention, and challenges in developing strong social skills.
By limiting the use of digital devices, we create a space where children can:
- Develop their imaginations: Children are free to explore their creativity through imaginative play. Building block towers become castles, scarves morph into capes, and open-ended materials spark endless possibilities.
- Enhance social interaction: Face-to-face interactions are crucial for social-emotional development. In a limited digital environment, children learn to communicate effectively, negotiate, solve problems together, and build strong friendships.
- Focus on exploration and discovery: Children are encouraged to engage with their surroundings in a more meaningful way. They can explore nature, experiment with materials, and conduct their own investigations, fostering a love of learning and a sense of wonder.
How Starfish Implements their Curriculum (aka: Planning by Design)
At Starfish ELC, our curriculum is designed to engage children in various stimulating learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. This includes:
- Sensory play: Children develop critical cognitive skills through learning experiences that engage their senses. Exploring textures, sounds, smells and how their bodies move through play helps them understand the world around them.
- Creative projects: From painting and drawing to music and drama, creative outlets allow children to express themselves, experiment, and build confidence.
- Open-ended play: Providing various open-ended materials allows children to use their imaginations and creativity in unique ways. Blocks, loose parts, and natural materials can become anything a child can envision.
- Nature exploration: Time spent outdoors allows children to connect with nature, learn about the environment, and develop gross motor skills.
- Collaborative learning: Through group play, children learn valuable social skills like cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
For more information about our curriculum and philosophy, visit our about us page. Our blog, A Day in the Life at Starfish ELC Childcare Centre, gives a glimpse into a typical day at Starfish ELC.
The Impact on Children’s Development
The benefits of a limited digital environment extend far beyond the early years. We equip children with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world by fostering creativity, social skills, and a love for learning. Children who develop strong social skills and a sense of curiosity are better prepared for future academic success and social interactions, instilling a sense of confidence in parents about their child’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What learning experiences do children engage in at Starfish centres instead of digital devices?
As mentioned above, Starfish ELC offers a variety of engaging learning experiences that promote exploration, creativity, and social interaction. These include sensory play, art and music experiences, open-ended play with various materials, outdoor exploration, and collaborative learning experiences.
How does the limited use of digital devices benefit children’s development?
A limited digital environment allows children to focus on developing their imaginations, social skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. They can engage in hands-on learning experiences, connect with nature, and build strong social connections, all of which are crucial for healthy development.
How does Starfish prepare children for a digital world?
We utilise laptops and tablets sparingly, but intentionally. For example, when the children and educators are exploring certain concepts, they enhance this learning by researching together on a laptop. Some of our Kindergarten programs access the ELLA program (Early Learning Languages Australia) to learn a language other than English. Educators may also use tablets to find music to play to the children, and utilise the convenient camera function to capture children’s learning (and for the children to capture their own or each other’s learning).
At Starfish ELC, we believe that a limited digital environment allows children to thrive in their most formative years. This approach forms just part of the enriching experience at Starfish ELC. If you want to learn more about the Starfish ELC philosophy and how it can benefit your child, we encourage you to visit our About Us page. You can also read our blogs for helpful tips on supporting your child’s development, including helping them transition to a new education setting
