ELC News

This week marked a wonderful beginning to our year. It has been such a joy getting to know each child and watching them settle into their new learning environment with curiosity and excitement.

The children are adjusting to our routines and rituals with eagerness and confidence. They are learning where things belong, taking responsibility of their own items, how our day flows, and what is expected during our circle times,play, and transitions. Each day we see growing confidence and independence.

One of the highlights of our week was the rich learning that developed throughout magnetic block play. What began as children building with blocks quickly evolved into creating houses. Mabel noticed that one of the houses was missing something and exclaimed that it needed a “cover”. Michelle asked, “Oh do you mean a roof?” to which Mabel replied enthusiastically, “Yes! A roof!”

This sparked further thinking about the different parts of a house and how each piece plays an important role in making it complete.

Later, during circle time, Educator Jess read “Our Granny”, a story that explores the many wonderful differences between everyone’s granny, including the houses they live in. This led to a rich group discussion about the children’s own grannies and their houses. Freddy proudly shared, “My granny has a house with red paint,” prompting others to describe special features of their grandparents’ homes. 

To extend on this learning, we invited the children to talk about their own houses and what they look like, what special thing I are in them and we explore who is in them next. 

We discussed how everyone’s house is different, and how ELC can feel like a family too, a special home away from home. Through meaningful play, stories and conversation, the children are building not only their understanding of the world around them, but also their sense of connection and community.

We have excitedly started to receive photos from families of their houses and each other which we will create a display with within the room, to further foster the new children’s sense of belonging within their new space and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness.

In our creative spaces, the children have been busy decorating their art books and library bags, taking pride in personalising their belongings. We also continued with our clay handprints. This special experience gave each child a chance to gently press their hands into cool, soft clay, creating a keepsake that also captures just how small their hands are at the start of their learning journey here at Mount Carmel ELC. We are wondering if we should recreate this experience at the end of their journey at ELC.

The children explored the texture, shape, and feel of the clay, building fine motor skills, confidence, and creativity throughout this experience. 

It also fostered a strong sense of belonging, as the children begin this new,exciting journey. Each child’s unique handprint has become part of ourclassroom story, showing that everyone has an important place in ourcommunity. Together, we begin the year feeling connected, valued, and ready to grow side by side.

Our first week has been filled with exploration, connection, creativity, and learning. We are so proud of how the children have begun their journey and look forward to another exciting week ahead.