Forest (3 Year Old Kindergarten) Curriculum
Hello! Welcome to the Forest Room. We have been so busy this term.
Here are a few highlights:
Forest Room agreements to keep ourselves safe:
We have been learning about "What can we say if we don't like something?" allowing us to keep ourselves safe in the Forest Room.
We learnt through a song called 'The Boundary Song'. This song teaches us all about how everyone has different boundaries and what they like and don't like. If we don't like something, we use our big voice and say, "Please stop, I don't like it", if they don't stop, then it's then time to find a teacher.
The children have responded so well to this song, and we have already observed many children singing the song at group time and throughout their play with their peers. We have also observed an increase in children using their big voice and telling their friends to 'stop'!
Take a listen to the song: https://youtu.be/aSFvJbSQdA4?si=WT-QZ-rjs5WAqYdx
After we had listened to the Boundary song, it was time for the children to brainstorm and voice their ideas!
We discussed how the teachers are NOT going to create the Forest Room rules; it is up to the children to discuss and make the rules based on what makes them feel safe.
That is exactly what they did, they put their thinking caps on and during the week we made a HUGE list. The list has been displayed within the Forest Room environments alongside a visuals created as group to allow children to come back and remind themselves and others.
Involving children in creating rules is crucial because it transforms rules from forced restrictions into shared understandings. When children participate in this process, they develop a sense of ownership, responsibility, and empathy. Which leads to a more positive, safe environment as children take charge and are more willing to implement based off their ideas and voice.
Get your craft on:
The children in Forest Room LOVE anything to do with craft. This term we have implemented many different small and large group experiences to extend on their interest, learning, and creativity. Some of the experiences have been:
- Experimenting with tissue paper
- Colour mixing
- Bubbles
- Cutting
- Painting with animals
- Loose materials
- Animal wash
- St Paddy’s day
- Mindfulness drawing
- Slime time!
Butterflies:
On Wednesday the 25th in the afternoon, something special arrived via the post. Bronwyn came and delivered it to us, and we just had to gather everyone to take a look! We all sat on the mat and before we opened the box, we all guessed what could be inside.
After our guesses we opened it up and we discussed what exactly it is and the life cycle of a caterpillar. We also discussed things we can do (looking, saying hello, watching with our friends) and what we can't do (not safe to touch the cage).
Later that day, one of our Forest Room friend, decided to help by making a 'stop sign' with the outline of her handprint to remind us we can’t touch the cage! Alongside a drawing of the chrysalis and a butterfly.
We have also added a 'Forest Room Chrysalis Journey' book, where each day we note down any changes, pictures, drawings, or children's voices.
On the 2nd of April, we let our two butterflies called Shoobydoowah and Salamander fly away in the sky🦋
We discussed: Where could they be going?
- “To the zoo with my butterfly” Chiara
- “To find their family” Maggie - “To fly” Tommy W
- “Going to their home” Olivia W
- “Find their friends!” Michael What an amazing experience this was! We watched the children’s love for learning increase, they constantly observed the cage and looked for any difference that occurred and made sure to tell a teacher. We learnt all about the life cycle, read some stories and asked many questions. 🦋💙
This Butterfly Adventures chrysalis kits provide a hands-on, educational experience for watching butterflies emerge (usually within 3-12 days), featuring a safe, mesh enclosure for viewing and release. They foster curiosity, environmental awareness, and extending on the children's knowledge and getting their minds thinking.
Self-portraits:
The children have been concentrating on drawing themselves before colouring it with water paint or using different coloured markers.
Each child sits one-on-one with us or as a group as we explore self-identity and what makes us unique. We start this discussion with, "What can you see?" Many children then highlight they can see their eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and ears.
Providing this opportunity supports the children to feel a sense of belonging and identity.
We hope to revisit this topic in Term 4 to see how their self-portrait develops as they grow.
Creating our flags:
This term we have been busy learning about where we live. We learnt we live in Australia and how we are so lucky to have three flags, the Australian flag, Aboriginal flag, and Torres Strait Islander flag. We learnt through a song called 'Colours we love' and the book 'Why I love Australia'. The children have been able to confidently identify the three flags and what a better way to extend on their learning than to create them ourselves! On the 31st we made the Aboriginal flag where the children used their fingers, and the 7th we made the Torres Strait Islander flag with rolling brush. The children have observed we haven't made the Australian flag, and they keep reminding me we need to make it!!! I have been wondering if we could extend the experience by encouraging the children to design and create some of their own flags? Or even inviting the children to create flags that represent them and their families (with support from their teachers). We can't wait to see what happens in the Forest Room😊
Take a listen to the song: https://youtu.be/OFaPt3RY3k4?si=URqA9e3xWcwmG2zw
Families:
Two of our goals in Forest Room in Term 1 were building a sense of belonging for the children and welcoming all children into the environment. Extending on these goals, we have implemented a very special group time focusing on, all about our families!
We started by discussing all families look different. We had a few children voice that sometimes grandparents live with them, sometimes there are babies, and some families are big and some are small.
One by one, each child stood up and showed their peers their family photo. They explained who is in their family and how their family is special to them.
We finished with a song all about families, take a listen: https://youtu.be/gIreaBJL0bM?si=wT8Qhp1egMmZd-eG
We also love family involvement and collaboration and we have had many families join us already this year!
A big thanks to Niamh for helping us celebrate St Patrick's Day, Mahsa and Pari for celebrating Persian New Year, Bianca for supporting Ash in cooking and Christina for teaching us all about Greek Easter.
Bring on Term 2!
From the Forest Room teachers, Lauren, Sikha, Ash, Karla, Makayla, Shivi and Ruby 😊💕