Early Learning & Child Care student Bianca Austria poses with her Mannequin Project at the annual Ignite poster presentation.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Bianca Austria, a graduate of the Early Learning and Child Care program at Medicine Hat College, has been featured by the college for her work encouraging children to participate in a development activity known as the Mannequin Project.
This method in early childhood education involves observing how children are interacting with their environment by providing a mannequin as a blank canvas for children to use creative and personal experience by dressing it, a project she created for children in her practicum.
The activity is similar to building blocks, puzzles and crafting and supports deeper learning by offering new tools such as storytelling approaches, building materials, drawing or play invitations that align with the child’s ideas and interests.
“One thing I learned while working on this assignment is how important close observation is when offering meaningful experiences to children,” said Austria. “Since this placement was in a different setting, I had to observe more carefully to understand the children’s interests. I focused not just on what they played with, but how they played.”
By planning learning experiences directly aligned with the children’s interests, Austria says their learning was better supported and more meaningful to them.
“What I loved about my mannequin project is how emergent it was, driven entirely by the children’s curiosity. I saw how engaged they were throughout the process, not just through their conversations, but also in how they followed through and completed the project,” she said.
The aspiring early childhood educator says since developing the unique teaching method, she has developed stronger collaboration skills with other educators, who have provided her with support and ideas to enhance the learning style.
“Most importantly, I learned to be more flexible, adapting to a different setting and curriculum while still staying true to a child-led, inquiry-based approach,” said Austria. “These skills helped me grow as an educator and will continue to guide me in creating responsive and intentional learning environments.”
