Early Learning
Welcome to Kinder!
We have had a wonderful start to the year at our Early Learning Centre, welcoming children and families across our four Kinder groups. We have two four-year-old Kinder groups: Possum (Kooramook) and Echidna (Weelangkeel), and two three-year-old Kinder groups: Wombat (Meeyam) and Koala (Weengkeel).
We have been enjoying beginning to get to know the children and their families, and observing the creative ways children are using spaces and resources. The children in our 3 year old groups have been prolific painters, and we hope their families have enough wall space for all their art! They have been quickly learning their Kinder routines through their orientation week, and have enjoyed exploring their inside and outside environments.
Our 4 year old groups have also been busy exploring their environments and new connections, and as part of transitioning to longer Kinder sessions have been thinking about things our bodies need. The Possum children suggested food, water, and resting, and we got some more ideas from a book - being active and fresh air! The Echidna group have been treated to some live violin music from Mrs Ezzy during their rest times, and the Possum group sewed themselves some lavender bags which helped us to relax.
It has been lovely to see lots of smiles and laughter as children (and educators) discover the unexpected and take delight in their environment and in other people. I am reminded of the phrase repeated in Genesis 1: "And God saw that it was good". It is good to be at Kinder, enjoying the space we have been blessed with, and learning about and exploring God’s world with the children.
Beth Bennett
Head of Early Learning
Echidnas
We all want to feel like we belong, whether it be part of a family, team, game, church or kindergarten. This term in the Echidna group we will be focusing on ‘Belonging’, which is one of the tenents of the Early Childhood Frameworks.
On the children’s first day in the Echidna group, they were introduced to their own sign-in routine. After their parents sign the children in the official book, the children find their picture on a wooden tile and hang it on the ‘Cookie Tree’ in the room. (Spoiler alert - There will be more about the Cookie Tree in the next newsletter, but for those curious now, - no, there’s nothing edible about it!).
The children gathered around the tree searching for their photo, and it was amazing to watch old friends help find the photo of new friends, and taller children help smaller children hang these picture tiles on the teeny tiny hooks (shout out to Jimmy for his last minute hook drilling for me!).
It took all of five minutes for the children to feel like they belonged as they stood back and saw their face swimming in a sea of other children’s faces – some familiar, and some new,but all together! Even the teachers have their own tiles, and during group time we were reminded that we needed to hang ours up too! Oops.
I am reminded that God created us to live in relationships with one another, to love and support each other as members of His family. When children feel they belong, they develop confidence to explore, learn, and grow in a safe environment, knowing they are valued and loved. Teachers, too, play a crucial role in fostering belonging by creating inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and cared for.
As Scripture teaches in Romans 12:5, "so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others". This verse highlights the importance of unity and mutual care, reflecting God’s desire for us to live in loving and connected communities, just as He has called us to be part of His family.
Judi Missen
Early Learning Educator