ABSTRACT
When children have opportunities to have a go at something for themselves, they are gaining practical experiences that develop a range of skills throughout their body and strengthening fine and gross motor development as well as manual dexterity and the deep-rooted connections that inform their cognitive understanding. Children begin understanding the forces they need to apply to make something happen, the impact when they do and how to manage their own body as they take on the task without toppling over. When you then pair these experiences with opportunities to reflect, children develop the skills that allow them to consider alternative methods of achieving a task, even before they are aware of the process. When these skills are in place, children are more inclined to persevere, informed by the alternative approaches they have trialled and observed. In this chapter you will learn why it is important to allow babies to gain practical experiences and reflect on them. You will understand how you can develop their ability and desire to embrace these key learning dispositions and gain the support you need to reflect on your practice and the experiences you offer. Having read this chapter, you will:
Know why it is important for babies to have a go
Understand how to develop a baby's ability and desire to have a go
Be supported in offering practice, environments and experiences where babies can have a go.
