The Benefits of In the Moment Planning in Early Years Education
Working in early years education can be a whirlwind of paperwork, observations, planning, theories, and philosophies. The traditional cycle of observation, reflection, and planning can be time-consuming. However, using the in the moment planning approach allows educators to do all this instantly. By closely observing a child’s interest and extending it in real-time, educators can enhance and build upon children’s existing knowledge.
What is in the moment planning?
In the moment planning is not a new theory or philosophy; it’s been a part of early years education for quite some time. Many educators may not realise that planning at the moment is something they naturally do every day. Every time they observe, listen, or interact with a child, they are assessing and planning how to respond in real-time.
This method of planning is different from traditional adult-led activities. Instead, it starts with the child and is led by the child. This child-initiated approach gives children constant opportunities to explore, develop, and practice effective learning characteristics. Children feel respected and valued when their ideas are listened to and acted upon.
In the moment planning allows children to take ownership of their play and learning experiences. Children become leaders, facilitating their play and learning, which helps them fully engage and learn. The role of the adult in this approach is to identify, respond, and react by providing opportunities, resources, and experiences based on the children’s expressed interests. The adult should not lead or dominate the play, as this can devalue the children’s ideas and dampen their curiosity and creativity.
Reacting and responding to children’s needs and interests in the moment is more valuable than planning topics or activities weeks or months in advance. When ideas come from the children, the entire learning journey becomes more valuable, beneficial, and engaging for them.
High-level involvement happens most often when children can pursue their own interests. Settings using this approach encourage high-level involvement by creating environments that enable all children to explore their interests with the support of skilled staff. In the moment planning helps make this possible.
In the moment planning can be broken down into three stages:
The child’s spark: this is when the child first shows an interest in something. There should be an air of fascination around the object and concentration in what they are now doing.
The teachable moment: the early years educator will notice this and approach the child. This is the opportunity to extend their interest, by asking open-ended questions and considering ways to apply this interest to other options within the environment.
The documentation: at a later date, you can document the observation. Include the spark, the teachable moment and what you did next. This will help you to map out each child’s interests, and plan an environment that works for them.
5 benefits of in the moment planning
1. Reduces paperwork and unnecessary stress
One of the most notable benefits of in the moment planning is the significant reduction in paperwork. Traditional planning methods often involve extensive paperwork, which is a common source of stress and burnout for early years educators. With in the moment planning, there’s no need to plan themes or activities in advance, as practitioners follow the children’s interests as they arise.
2. More time to play, learn, and build positive relationships
This approach allows educators to spend more time with children and less time planning elaborate activities. In the moment planning creates more opportunities for authentic relationship building, a core principle of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). As educators and children spend more time together, they form stronger attachment relationships, helping children become more confident and effective learners.
Although this approach is child-initiated, the role of the educator is crucial. Educators facilitate learning by observing and interacting with children, remaining observant, interested, and responsive. They are ready to add value to the play without solving the children’s problems, ensuring there is plenty of room for thinking and learning through play.
3. Building an enabling environment
Creating an ‘enabling environment’ is another core principle of the EYFS. This means providing a space that encourages exploration, sparks curiosity, and follows the children’s lead. In the moment planning focuses on recognising and encouraging children’s sparks of interest. A rich environment with plenty of open-ended resources makes it easier for educators to identify and support these interests.
The emphasis on an enabling environment allows practitioners to provide a space where meaningful learning can take place. Displaying a range of interesting resources that spark curiosity, rather than perfectly set-up areas and tuff tray activities, encourages children to explore with their senses and follow their interests.
4. Confident early years educators
In the moment planning requires educators to be reactive, knowledgeable, creative, and flexible. They must quickly identify and meet children’s needs, providing engaging and enriching learning experiences. Planning for children’s ‘next steps’ may differ from traditional methods, but this approach relies on knowing the children well and being confident in their professional judgment.
Educators must trust their instincts, recognise teachable moments and knowing when to intervene in a child’s play. By observing what the child is doing and understanding the learning taking place, educators can support the child while maintaining their engagement and motivation.
5. Strengthening parent partnerships
Although in the moment planning reduces paperwork, it still allows for capturing and sharing special learning moments with parents. These ‘wow moments’ are essential for celebrating children’s achievements and developing strong parent partnerships. Sharing these moments helps parents stay connected and involved in their children’s learning journeys.
How can ParentZone support in the moment planning?
Even though in the moment planning reduces paperwork, it’s still important to capture and share special learning moments with parents. iConnect makes this easy by allowing educators to quickly document and share these significant moments.
We call these snapshots of learning ‘wow moments’. These moments are important for children’s learning and development and should be recorded to celebrate their achievements. ‘Wow moments’ can be defined as times when children do something independently for the first time or have a new experience.
Using ParentZone, educators can effortlessly share these ‘wow moments’ with parents, helping to strengthen parent partnerships and collaborate on their children’s learning journey. This continuous communication keeps parents engaged and informed about their child’s progress, making them an integral part of the learning process.
If you’d like to learn more about teaching and learning approaches, we have recently launched a fantastic resource – The ABC of Nursery Management Guide. This guide covers a wide array of topics surrounding nursery management and features insights from 26 early years experts. Download it here to explore valuable information that can help enhance your nursery management practices and support your professional development.
The ABC of Nursery Management
- FREE Download
Share this article
About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare
Effectively Communicating Price Increases to Parents
Why Cultural Capital Matters in Early Years Education
Exciting New Medication Features on iConnect!
Case Study: Little Faces Nursery