Our Nova Pioneer Boksburg students took learning through play to the next level by participating in World Play Day to acknowledge the child’s right to play as outlined in article 31 of the United Nations Conventions on the rights of the child. Play is also a big part of Nova Pioneer’s learning model, our curriculum incorporates play into daily school activities.
Developing through play
World Play Day is hosted annually with the hope of incorporating exploration, language experimentation, cognition, and the development of social skills which are central to children’s learning as well as the foundation of adult achievement. UNESCO maintains that “the encouragement of creativity from an early age is one of the best guarantees of growth in a healthy environment of self-esteem and mutual respect – critical ingredients for building a culture of peace.”
The Reggio Emilia Approach
Nova Pioneer’s curriculum follows the Reggio Emilia approach, a play-based pedagogy and supports the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance chaired by own Director of Academics, Des Hugo. The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative approach to early childhood education. It values the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. Every child has a deep curiosity and potential. Children are curious to understand their world, and their place within it. The fundamental principles of Reggio Emilia resonate with Nova Pioneer’s learning approach. Playful learning, curiosity and exploration are essential for building knowledge.
And so, all our Nova Pioneer campuses incorporate play as part of learning. At Nova Pioneer we value the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. We also understand that every child has a deep curiosity and potential. By incorporating play into their learning, we give students the chance to honour their talents, create, explore and collaborate.
Harvard University and the Lego Foundation research learning through play
Nova Pioneer Schools have been directly involved in research on the pedagogy of play project with Project Zero of Harvard Graduate School of Education. They work with teachers from around the world to determine best practice for learning through play. Mardell and his research team visited Nova Pioneer to observe lessons. Nova Pioneer was a part of a group of three schools selected in South Africa chosen.
World Play Day was just another opportunity for us to bring this to life and to celebrate play in a fun and engaging way.
