Shownotes Transcript
Shardi Vaziri and Angelica Celinska critically discuss tuff trays specifically in relation to maths, which is the area of learning most prone to setting up tuff trays as large scale worksheets. They unpick the problems with 'tuff tray maths' - from stifling children's creativity to unethical practice around the use of food in play. How children can be supported to learn abstract mathematical concepts in context are also discussed, as well as the practicalities of using tuff trays, the dangers of 'pinterest pedagogy' and 'the social media trap', as well as thinking about intent and 'the why' behind our set ups, environments and day to day decisions.
Episode breakdown:
02:00 - Tuff trays as large scale worksheets 05:00 - Learning maths concepts in context 06:10 - Does this activity need to be in a tuff tray? 07:50 - Not enough open-ended play 09:30 - What is your intent? 10:30 - Messy play: The practicalities of tuff trays 11:45 - Inviting set ups and 'Pinterest pedagogy' 12:55 - Knowing your why 14:30 - Have we gone too far with coloured rice? 16:55 - Is setting up a tuff tray a good use of time? 20:00 - Using food in tuff trays 22:15 - Not criticising but developing practice 25:30 - Carbon copies of classrooms 27:10 - How do we question and develop our own practice?
Hear and read more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com