What is process-oriented learning?
Process-oriented learning means that we don’t give children a single, fixed example, but rather give them the freedom to discover and create on their own. They choose for themselves what they want to make, how they’ll do it, and when they consider it finished. There’s no right or wrong—but they do learn a lot through trying, using their imagination, and experiencing things firsthand.
This is how we encourage children to:
- make their own choices;
- use their imagination;
- give shape to their own ideas.
Coloring outside the lines? Go for it!
Creativity is so much more than just coloring neatly within the lines. Take, for example, a child who draws a flower with square petals—why not? Giving children freedom leads to the most beautiful ideas. If you give them a coloring page or an example, their options are much more limited. If you give them blank paper and materials? Then they’ll turn it into their own story. And that is exactly the power of process-oriented work.
Certainly not childish!
Creative thinking isn’t just useful for artists. Doctors, auto mechanics, and teachers also sometimes need to think on their feet and come up with new solutions. By giving children the space to experiment, they develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. For example, they learn:
- how to deal with disappointment when something doesn’t work out;
- to persevere;
- to be flexible;
- to plan and organize;
- And perhaps most importantly: self-confidence. Being proud of what you’ve come up with and created yourself—that’s definitely not childish!
And what do you take home with you?
Sometimes you’ll take home a little artwork your child created on their own. Sometimes a bag of paper scraps. And sometimes, perhaps, nothing tangible—but a child brimming with stories about everything they’ve discovered. What’s important to us is that you, as a parent, know exactly what your child has learned. For example:
“Your daughter tore paper with great concentration today. All by herself! That’s great for her fine motor skills. She’s so proud of it. The bag of scraps is in her backpack!”
Or at after-school care:
“Your son, along with a few others, came up with a game and made up the rules. What great teamwork—and what fun they had!”
This is how we give meaning to what your child has done. Because it’s not about what’s in the bag, but about what’s growing inside your child.
Enjoy the process
Do you see your child coming home with a big smile and a bag full of scraps? Then you know: it was a meaningful day. Because even without a “pretty” craft project, your child learns so much at daycare!
Choose Partou
Are you curious? We’d love to show you how we take a process-oriented approach and truly put your child first. Find a Partou location near you and come meet us!