Hi,
Stimulating means it attracts and engages the children positively encouraging futher exploration..
To make sure activities are developmentally appropriate check how they are played/interacted with - is it too hard & is given up on or too easy, done in a split second with the audience looking for more and what to do next !?
Culturally appropriate may mean adding/choosing activities that can reflect what children/adults have experience of.
Building blocks are an example of a progressive activity that can cover stimulating/developmentally appropriate & being culturally aware.
Plain wooden building blocks can be offered and also the next stage, larger chunky blocks that fit together - from there carry on with smaller bricks that need fine motor skills to lock together. Extending again could be to introduce simple sheet based instuctions showing how to build something. Instructions in themselves are progressive .. from basic to complex !!
Culturally aware - Building things that reflect the children's cultural experiences and talking about them.. when asked I'm sure they will have some very interesting ideas on what they know. lol
As a contrast, by making all these stages of blocks available whenever can also encourage re examination, different play from a different developmental stages & ages ..
Jigsaws, Playdough, Treasure Baskets, activities relating to Health, Self and Nature/The world around us. Make water, sand and other tactile activities more interesting by adding different tools !!
The one developmentally aware aspect to be on the lookout for is safety, mouthing and general hygiene issues that may place the activity as a possible risk.
Children's Developmental milestones
This section of USA's CDC website is absolutely excellent:
Learn the signs
As always with specific lists please be aware of how flexible individuality is.
If anyone knows of a UK equivalent that can be quoted/linked to freely for coursework, please please post ..
Hth
Unit 320 Care for children at home K3D524
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Linear Mode
