Family Learning Centre
August 2024
It takes a village to raise a child: (African Proverb)
“The Family Centre is our own little village! (We) parents and children have made lifelong friends here, starting at Playgroup – we are just like family now – we are there for each other, and all the staff are there for us, for everyone! It’s amazing to watch all our kids grow together is such a safe and welcoming. It’s our second home.” (Quote from Parent)
Hello and a very warm welcome to all our Family Learning Centre, including to our Early Learning Centre parents, children and families, our kindergarten kids and playgroupers.
So much has been happening as we kick off into the new year, enjoying these last weeks of winter and preparing our community vegetable gardens for spring!
Playgroups nurture long term friendships between children and parents, creating this Family Centre as a welcoming early learning and community environment.
And joining a playgroup is so easy, pop in Monday to Friday, a wonderful way for children to learn and play, as they read, sing and grow. It allows for parents to share ideas, relax a little, laugh a lot and socialise at the same time.
You can find more information about our playgroups and parent and family services on our Family Learning Centre calendar.
Young Mums Group
“Playgroup provided me with somewhere to go when I had my first baby. I was feeling very isolated and through playgroup I met a community of mums who are now great friends.” (Quote from young new mum)
For more information regarding registration for our young mums groups please click parenting calendarfor Term 3, 2024!
Did you know ….. Through Play, We Learn and Grow.
Your child’s development in the FIRST 1000 DAYS from birth to 3 yrs.
Research shows that 80 percent of a child's brain development occurs within the first 1,000 days of life – making the first three years from pregnancy to 3 yrs. important for lifelong health, learning, and success
Play matters! Singing, dancing and reading stimulates your child’s sensory growth, learning and language development from birth.
At Playgroup we encourage and model play, such as regular games of peek-a-boo, hide and seek, building blocks, sand and water play, painting are some ways we build positive early relationships.
PLAY sends a simple message to your little child ….. you are most important to me 😊
Baby Play and Play Dough Fun … but mostly, it’s great for all ages!
Making Playdough
This year we have done so much already! Making playdough remains the ever popular choice for all-ages – it’s the best multi- sensory playgroup activity – and lasting fun for your child and the whole family.
- Playdough encourages imagination and creativity at work
- Playdough is good for building little hand and finger muscles , this is good preparation for early hand writing.
- Use tools to cut, divide, roll, pat – building language and communication
- Old cooking utensils you no longer use at home … now worries! These are great for playdough fun. Potato mashers, garlic press and rolling pins or sticks and flowers from the garden are great for building little one’s imagination.
You will need
| Instructions
1. Mix dry ingredients in a large heatproof bowl. 2. Boil water. 3. Combine water with oil in a measuring cup pour mixture on to other ingredients 4. stir and knead until soft and combined. 5. When cool, store in airtight container.
Fun Tip –Add a box of jelly crystals, drops of food colouring and scents for an ‘extra’ sensory play experience! |
Reading with Babies and young children
Even very young babies love to hear you read to them as they are excited and fascinated by books and stories, and soon start helping to turn the pages.
For some tips for helping to develop a lifelong love of books and reading in your little reader Visit your local library in Corio and Geelong or visit online!
Favourite book at Playgroup to celebrate Spring
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – author Eric Carle
And see the Youtube clip as read aloud by Eric Carle
How do I find out more about what’s happening at the NBC Family Centre?
See our What’s on Weekly flyer to find out more about the Family Learning Centre and the First 1000 Days at Playgroup project please contact:
Helen O’Connor
Coordinator
5224 9791
helen.oconnor2@eduction.vic.gov.au
Early Learning Centre
Our Early Years Learning Centre children are thriving in their newly enhanced outdoor environment! Thanks to recent landscaping improvements, our little learners now have more opportunities to engage with nature, allowing them to discover the wonders of their natural surroundings. Adding to this excitement, the Hands-On Learning Team have created two wonderful Sand Kitchens for our children. These kitchens have been in use since placing them in our sand pits – sparking creativity and interactive play. It’s been a joy to see our children’s enthusiasm when engaging in learning in the outdoor environment and we are eager to see where these experiences take our children's learning journey.
Community Hub
Do you know Northern Bay College has a Community Hub?
We do! The Community Hub is located at the Family Learning Centre, Gate 6 - 25 Goldsworthy Rd, Corio.
What is a Community Hub?
The Community Hub is a welcoming place where families from diverse backgrounds, particularly mothers with children, come to connect, share and learn.
We offer a range of English classes, including English for Sewing and Cooking classes. We also offer basic Digital Skills and Community Conversations covering a range of topics. We have a walking group and a FREE Toy Library.
Please feel free to come and say Hi!
If you would like to find out more about the Community Hub, please contact:
Narelle Smith-Haslett
Community Hub Leader
0483 385 376