Views & Opinion The meaning of mark-making Comment by Alicia Blanco-Bayo, Early Years teacher at Kirkham Grammar School


Understanding how young children are beginning to express themselves through the medium of shaping up marks is often a complex task for those who might not be familiar with the concept of mark-making. Those perhaps traditionally called “scribbles” that do not seem to resemble anything an adult mind can associate with reality have been traditionally seen as simply that, scribbles. It is only when we adapt our terminology and the concept of scribbling that the observer begins to interpret “the scribbles that are now marks someone has made”. A whole world of discovery is entered when children first start being exposed to a variety of utensils that can be used to make colourful marks on paper, boards or other surfaces. Giving shape and form to a known object, person, letter or number is not a simple task. It is the amazing beginning of expression through the use of a child’s own ability to imagine and create. A mark made by a particular child can carry a meaning that should be interpreted as that child describes it and through the eyes of that child. The analysis


of that particular mark or series of marks will enable the adult who observes to enter the imaginative and creative world of the child who made it. This is the part of a process that should be carried out through adult-child discussion which allows the child to express the message he intended to send through those marks.


Little fingers and great minds There are two areas of development greatly influenced by mark-making experiences. These are the physical development of fine motor skills, and the development of thinking and expression which can be shown through the making of marks that are meaningful to each individual child. A varied and well-balanced range of learning opportunities that encourage the use of little fingers through sensory experiences should be part of any Foundation Stage Teaching and Learning Plan. Dipping fingers in paint, shaving foam, sticky goo and wet sand provokes a mixture of sensations as the child exercises his fingers in all kinds of directions. These movements


contribute to the development of those little fingers, so that a firm hold of new tools can eventually occur.


How the Early Years Teacher interacts with the child as he is using his fingers to either manipulate or make marks is also crucial in the development of his fine motor skills. As well as having fun with all these messy materials, the Early Years Practitioner is “the resource” who will support the thinking which has to happen so that the experience is fulfilling. It is all about letting the child experiment, but as the exciting adventure of moving his little fingers is taking place, there is also the importance of expressing sensations as these movements evoke thoughts. Thus, it is the case that by promoting natural experimentation with little fingers and facilitating continuous adult-child interaction, children are offered the chance to explore and express and, at times, receive orientation, so that those discoveries begin to make sense in their young minds.


Why every school needs an alumni network Comment by Christine Gilbert, Executive Chair, Future First


At the beginning of next month, Britain will go back to school. Across the country, from Plymouth to Glasgow, former students will walk back through the doors of their old state schools and colleges to motivate and inspire the current generation.


Back to School Week, from 1st to 5th February 2016, will highlight the many benefits every school can gain from a thriving, engaged alumni network. It may be the first time some of those returning alumni have visited their former school since they left. Too many people leave school and never look back. They have much to offer by returning and will enjoy the experience too. Social mobility continues to be a longstanding problem in this country with a high correlation between parents’ earnings and those of their children. Alumni networks are an important asset in helping schools break that link. Private schools and universities have long seen the value of keeping former students engaged. Many of their alumni see themselves as part of a lasting community. They have an affinity with the


January 2016


young people who follow in their footsteps and they provide a range of benefits, from networking to fundraising. At Future First, we help state schools to engage with their former students easily and affordably.


Former students can have a


transformative effect. Working alongside staff in school, alumni not only increase understanding about the world of work, they also help drive ambition and aspirations. They act as inspirational role models, motivating students and building their confidence. Activities include participation in lessons, workshops, assemblies, mentoring and providing advice at key decision points. Many schools use alumni to target areas of need such as practice interviews for university or encouraging women into Maths and Science.


Alumni prove to students that ‘someone like me’ can succeed and prosper. The distinctive strength of alumni is relatability. Former and current students have shared experiences of the school and the local area. Ian, a lawyer and former student of Robert Clack School, sums it up


well: ‘It’s important that it’s Dagenham people, just like the kids. No airs and graces-just ordinary people who have done well. There could not be more powerful role models.’


Former students can also support the work of the wider school community by acting as governors. Some have helped with fundraising. Volunteering can be very creative. For example, a former student went back to his school in Derbyshire to create a garden where students could just sit or study in peace.


With technology and expert advice, Future First helps schools and colleges to keep in touch with each of their leavers and reconnect with their former students. We support them in harnessing the knowledge, skills and talents of alumni to inspire, advise and motivate current students.


We have already signed up 100,000 people across Britain to stay connected with their former state school or college and hope to make that figure bigger next month. Help us do that by visiting www.futurefirst.org.uk to find out more about Back to School Week.


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