Early Years Poem

[Guest]

Hi!

 

I am a student studying for a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies. I am desperately searching for a poem relating to 'learning through play'.

 

The author of the poem I am relating to is unknown. It is a poem all about a child attending pre-school, having a wonderful time learning lots of new things, but not returning home with anything tangible to show his/her parent.

 

The annoying thing is that I had a copy of the said poem myself and now I just can't find it!

 

Everyone I have asked in Early Years Circles seems to know the poem I mean, but alas can't find it either.

 

Is there anyone who could help?

[AnonyMouse_73]

Hi there Roe and welcome on board. i dont know the poem you mean, but Im sure that someone else will. Do you know the title at all?

[Guest]

Hi Roe

I have a copy of this at work. I could e-mail it to you tomorrow if you want? Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll get it to you in the afternoon.

Linda

[AnonyMouse_79]

OH NO!

Linda, please, please, please post it here. I'm intrigued now!

 

Susan

[AnonyMouse_73]

Yes Linda, we all want a copy now...

[Guest]

Thanks Linda, have sent you a PM with my email address.

 

If its the poem I remember, I am sure lots of practioners who are equally enthusiastic about 'learning through play' would like a copy.

 

Many thanks for your support and interest.

 

Kindest regards

 

roe

[Guest]

Another please, please, please, Linda!

 

I had an interview with a parent last night who is worried about just this issue, and this would be a lovely, light-hearted way to reassure him that all is well, don't you think?

[Guest]

Yes, please post this poem...I'm intrigued

[Guest]

Me too! very intrigued!!!!!

[Guest]

And yet another plea Linda ... please. Sounds just the thing to put up on our notice board along with photos of the children engaged in various play activities ... or to include in a starting school booklet!!

 

Hope you post it here.

 

Harricroft.

[Guest]

Oh go on - I would like a copy too!!!

Nikki

[Guest]

Well, what a panic-I couldn't find it!!!!!!!!!! So, this morning I have tidied the office and low and behold there it was with the Christmas songs!! Not the most obvious place to keep it!!!!!

Here it is then

 

Child's play

 

Oh what a busy morning I've been playing with the dough

And with a little help, upon a card I learned to sew.

I helped a friend "Nurse Sarah" to perform an operation,

Then fixed the track together for my train and built a station.

I popped inside the house to make a cup of tea,

And stood beside the cooker making lunch for twenty three.

I completed three whole jigsaws and played a new board game,

And had a turn on all the bikes, the slide and climbing frame.

I handed round the biscuits at milk and biscuit time,

Then listened to a story and sang a nursery rhyme.

But now the morning's over and the mummies are all waiting,

I hope my mother doesn't say "I WISH YOU'D DONE A PAINTING"

 

Not entirely politically correct for this day and age, perhaps it could be adapted for modern times, but it is an old poem. I still think it is oh so appropriate though. If they don't come out clutching something that they have done I often hear "Haven't you done anything today?"

Hope it raises a few smiles, I alays do when I read it.

Have a good weekend.

Linda

[Guest]

Awww that's such a lovely poem! Made me smile. I do think it's suitable for nowadays, that poem isn't gender specific!!!

[Guest]

Thanks Linda

 

I,ve printed the poem and will definately be using it.

[Guest]

Thanks Linda,

 

Your help with this is much appreciated.

 

Hope everyone enjoys the poem,

 

When last working at pre-school, I use to include it in our welcome booklet.

 

Regards,

 

Roe

[Guest]

What a lovely poem, I've printed this out too will use it in my handbook. Thanks for that.

[AnonyMouse_79]

Don't think I've ever heard that poem Linda!

Thanks for posting.

 

Susan

[AnonyMouse_73]

I can see this poem suddenly popping up in sewttings all over the country (or even the world??)

Thanks Linda

(do we have an author?)

[Helen]

Thanks, Linda, that's a great poem

[Guest]

So glad everybody liked it-I thought you would. No, I haven't got an author so when using it I would just put ANON.

Linda

[Guest]

By the way, when I said it wasn't strictly PC I meant about the mummies waiting-we have lots of dads who drop off and pick up. I also removed the word "Wendy" from in front of house!!!!!

Linda

[Guest cat33]

Linda, great poem! Will give it to my girls tomorrw (was in a course today). It just about sums up our days too!

Chris

[Guest]

Thanks so much Linda, I think this will find pride of place on my noticeboard with some photo's of the children enjoying some of the activities. As for that parent, I think it may be perfect for all the parents!!!

[AnonyMouse_75]

I have seen an extremely simlar themed poem which originated from a PLA member from the midlands I believe?

 

its not the same poem but i thought I would include it

 

What did you do?

 

What did you do at Playgroup today?

 

Well, I sat at the dough table and rolled the dough in my hands.

Lucy said hers was a snake but mine, mine was a worm.

The lady talked about long ones and short ones, and medium sized ones,

and Sarah roiled her dough so long it went right over the edge of the table.

(And nobody said "what are you going to make - a cake would be nice”)

 

Yes, but then what did you do?

 

I played on the climbing frame

and do you know

I can jump off the very top step.

 

Yes, but did you do anything today ?

 

Sarah and me went to the paint table.

It was lovely, all gooey and slippery on our hands.

We made lots of pattern with our fingers and elbows.

Sarah had yellow paint and I had red

and Mummy, do you know what,

if you mix red paint and yellow paint together it goes ORANGE!

'(And nobody said "what a mess you've made")

 

Yes, but what else have you done ?

 

At milk time a big boy pushed me over

and I bumped my head.

The lady picked me up and loved me better,

and the boy said “sorry”

 

And then did you do anything?

 

The lady sang a new song

and I can remember it,

it was about our fingers, thumbs and toes.

 

But, did you do anything today?

 

I made lovely traily patterns in the sand

and then Sarah and me had a race to see

who could put the sand in the sand-wheel quickest.

 

So, what did you do at Playgroup today ?

 

We sang 'Happy Birthday' to Nicholas

and then the lady read us a story.

 

But, did you do anything today?

 

Yes, when the lady said “It's time to tidy up"

I quickly painted you a picture

'cos I knew you'd say..................

 

“What did you do at playgroup today?”

[Guest]

is this the one you mean?

 

lesley.

 

 

Just Playing"

When I'm building in the block room,

Please don't say I'm "just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

About balance and shapes.

When I'm getting all dressed up,

Setting the table, caring for the babies.

Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,

Please don't let me hear you say "he's just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm expressing myself and being creative.

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair

"Reading" to an imaginary audience,

Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,

Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,

Don't pass it off as "just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,

Or some "plaything" at my school,

Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is jut "play.

I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.'

I may be a chef someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,

Please don't say I'm "just playing."

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning how my body works.

I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today,

And I say, "I played."

Please don't misunderstand me.

For, you see, I'm learning as I play.

I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work.

I'm preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I'm a child and my work is play.

- Anita Wadley

[AnonyMouse_439]

Wow

 

These poems are really good.

I am going to print them and I should imagine one of them will certainly find its way onto our notice board.

 

 

We are giving a presentation to our parents, in January, to show them what the foundation stage is all about. The last poem will be perfect.

[Guest]

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Have just found the poems - fantastic . I'll be using these on our notice board and in parents' booklets.

Thanks a lot.

 

Harricroft.

[Guest]

wow what fab poems, just what i need for all those paretns who say "what have they done today"

 

thank you

[Guest]

These poems are great, am taking them to a staff meeting today and want to send a copy to all of our parents!!! We have one parent in particular who is never happy unless their child has work to take home Im hoping these will help them to stop being so single minded.

[Guest]

I give a slightly updated version of the first poem in my parents induction pack. This is the version I use:

 

Through the eyes of a child!

 

Oh, what a busy morning! I've been playing with the dough

and with a little help upon a card I learnt to sew.

I helped my friend, nurse Sarah, to perform an operation,

then fixed the track together for my train and built the station.

I popped inside the home corner to make a cup of tea,

and stood beside the cooker making lunch for twenty-three.

I completed three whole jigsaws and played a new board game,

and had a turn on all the bikes and the slide and climbing frame.

I counted out the biscuits at milk and snack time.

Then listened to a story and sang some nursery rhymes.

But now the morning's over and the grown-ups are all waiting,

I hope someone doesn't say

"I wish you had done a painting".