In the Moment Planning is a phrase used to describe how the educator works with the children. Basically, everything is done In the Moment! There isn’t a plan for what the child should learn tomorrow or next week. Everything is based upon the child’s interests now at this minute in time. So the only forward planning is the environment being provided. Rooms and outdoors are all prepared to be stimulating for the children to explore. All other things are led by the child’s interest. By allowing the child to be inspired by their own fascinations brings a deep level of involvement which is known to impact the child’s knowledge, understanding and skills more significantly than doing something on the adult’s terms, especially when very young.

The onus is very much on the educator to notice these interests through their observations. Also, to note the child’s achievements, assessing their progress as they work. To be successful, the educator needs a good knowledge of child development and of course the individual child, so they can build upon what the child currently knows and can do. These interactions are often called, ‘Teachable Moments’.