Early Learning Centre

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

As the children begin to prepare for their transition to either the 4 year old group or to school, we are focusing on the development of their independence and self-help skills. They are being encouraged to carry their own bags to and from kinder, pack and unpack their bags, put on and take off items of clothing, and resource materials that they need for thier learning.

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world 

Through our Inquiry unit this term, Sharing the Planet-Relationships exist between living things, the children are developing their knowledge of and respect for natural and constructed environments including an increased understanding of the interdependence between, land, people, plants and animals. As they focus their learning on one particular aspect of the living world they will have the opportunity to discover more about the important role they play and how we can care for them.

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing 

The strengthening and refinement of their fine motor skills in preparation for writing and more formal learning experiences underlines many of the tasks the children engage in while at kinder. From opening their own food packaging, to working with playdough and clay, threading beads onto string, engaging in finger play, and picking up and placing small items the children are developing the muscles in their hands, wrists and fingers and learning to isolate their thumb and first two fingers to perform a range of tasks.

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners  

Linking in with our Inquiry unit, the children have been exploring what a living thing is, beginning to develop an understanding that all living things grow, need nutrition, respirate, respond to changes or stimuli in their environment and reproduce. 

We have also introduced the children to the concept of measurement, using unit blocks to measure the size of figurines, using one-to-one correspondence to count these, introducing the concepts of small/medium/large, and encouraging the children to make predictions about the sizes of things. 

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators 

The children are continually building up their vocabulary as they learn new songs, listen to and discuss stories and engage in discussions in both small and larger groups. Through their participation in group discussions the children are also developing their conversational skills, including actively listening to others, taking turns to speak and making eye contact. We have also been exploring alternative methods of communicating, including the use of Key Word Sign.