Learning Across the ELC

Learning in Preschool

Preschool Blue has been continuing their exploration of the language of welcome, as part of their 'Belonging nurtures authentic connections' inquiry.  In week one some children had identified that the meaning of welcome was 'Pudni', the Kaurna word we use in our 'Naa Marni Pudni' welcome song, as part of our daily Acknowledgement of Country.  We used this interest to investigate the different flags and logos that surround us in Preschool, unpacking symbolism, cultural importance, and our sense of belonging to Preschool, Loreto and Australia. 

We went for a College walk to the Senior campus, searching for things that connect to us and welcome us into that space. Firstly, the children noticed the three flags near the statue of Mary Ward, identifying the flags were the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags. They then quickly pointed out the Mural created by Aboriginal Artist Shane Cook, with Sophia calling out, "it's the Acknowledgment of Country!" We had a closer look at the mural and explored some ideas of symbolism with the children. Some children thought the circular shapes were like the waterhole and others said it was a meeting place, like our Preschool Yarning Time. 

We then walked to the Indigenous Garden, where children could investigate carvings in the wood rounds, looking to match some symbols they had brought along for the journey. They found representations of stars, animal tracks, water systems and water holes. We then headed to First Creek to see if there was any water, and connected the importance of First Creek to the Kaurna People. 

Together back at Preschool we read the story of Tom Tom, following his Preschool journey and family connections. It was a great way for children to compare their own home and Preschool experiences and think about some shared values, as well as concepts of welcome and belonging. After reading the Tom Tom story each day, we started mapping Tom Tom's journey, creatively using the children's knowledge of indigenous symbols and storytelling. Children shared that the story started at a water hole 'Lemonade Springs' then mentioned he went to the top camp and the bottom camp to visit family, and to the meeting place of Preschool. There was a lot of talk about there being lots of boys and girls in Tom Tom's big family, so the representation of people went on and on. They also wanted to represent stars and the sun because it was both day and night in the story. The children thought about how Tom Tom got to all the places he visited, if he walked, they decided dots were a good choice because walking is slow and has steps, for the car they decide long squiggly lines were better. They experimented using kangaroo tracks to show Tom Tom following the wallaby tracks to Lemonade Springs. The children have also noticed that they have a logo on their clothing that makes them feel welcome.

Aurelia: This badge. It’s a symbol for Loreto.

Sophie: Our Loreto.

Camilla: Our badge.

Caleb: (pointing to his t-shirt).

Elyse: I got big one and you got little one.

Sophia: Ms Lauder, It's on your badge. 

We have been investigating the Loreto 150th anniversary commemorative badge, looking at the Indigenous symbolism, reinforcing the idea that Loreto is a welcoming space for all of us to play, learn and grow. The children then questioned why Preschool doesn't have its own flag or badge? So, we decided to make one, first listing all the attributes our flag should have.

Clementine: We can make one out of a stick and piece of paper.

Eliza: Maybe a piece of a paper and then use some glue and use a stick and then we draw.

Clementine: We can all make something and put anything on there.

Harvey M: Flaps to keep it stable, stick.

Ms Lauder: What could we put on it?

Sophie: Shapes. Be kind, love heart.

Sophia: We have to make it Yarning time.

Sebastian: Stars, head dress (pointed to the head dress on the TSI flag).

Harvey J: A cross.

Emily P: There's a cross on our door.

Aurelia: The Loreto badge, that means we're Loreto.

Binay: Dresses where you can dance.

Clementine: Yellow, it's on our shirt. It has to have stripes.

Leo: White.

Samuel: Gold.

Leo: Blue.

Lezhi: Circle.

Elyse: We sit in a circle.

Binay: Draw people.

Alfie: Boys and girls.

Eliza: And the teachers.

Max: Preschool is for everyone.

Archie: The sun.

Alice: The sun means good morning.

Alfie: Eat, lunchbox.

Emily S: We eat with everyone and you close your mouth to eat like this.

Poppy: We should put the Aboriginal flag on there.

Isabelle: The waterhole, at the creek.

Camilla: Music.

Sophia: Music notes.

Caleb: Draw music.

Sophia: Australia, we need stars, six.

Hongting: Union Jack.

Aurelia: Thumbs up because it is good morning (AusLan reference).

Lezhi: Preschool Blue (together we phonetically sounded out the word blue)

Samuel and Aurelia: B

Alfie and Archie: l

Aurelia: I said u.

Elyse: I like to eat, eat, eat upples and bununus (singing the apples and bananas song with the u vowel).

This week we made a start creating our Preschool Blue flag, incorporating elements from this list, using all different media. There are still more children to add their personal representation to our yarning circle, and the giant rainbow heart of kindness "needs more colours."  We loved that they believed kindness to be "so, so big and bigger," and such an important aspect of Preschool. The children are still considering where to place representations of First Creek, the Aboriginal flag, and a Union Jack, stars and a headdress from the Australian and Torres Strait Island flags. We are all so proud of this work in progress.

The Preschool Team