Early Learning

Possums

We had a chuckle earlier this week when we saw a photo in the Warrnambool Standard from 1968, of a Kinder child sawing a piece of wood with a bowl of nails next to her. The caption read "in terms of safety, things have certainly changed over the years". Some adults might be horrified to know that in Kinder we are still sawing and using "grown-up" tools all these years later, although hopefully most adults would see the benefits! Warrnambool Kinders in 1968 may have been ahead of the times, as there is now a lot more research about the benefits of risky play. Research has found that risky play can help children's physical, cognitive and social-emotional development, as well as wellbeing. 

The Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) explains: "No play space is risk-free. No matter how much we try to remove the risk of children being hurt, children (and adults) can still get hurt. We can have the super smooth soft fall surfaces in our children’s centres and school playgrounds, but when children walk out into the real world the surfaces they come into contact with are anything but that. The greater risk is not providing children with the skills and abilities to identify and mitigate risk when they come across it so they can engage with the big wide world. Being adventurous is about creating opportunities for children (and adults) to explore and test their own capacities, to manage risk, and to grow as capable, resourceful and resilient children and adults."

The Possum children had this opportunity last week when we decided to help Mr Hunter with some jobs around the yard. Our Cherry tree had died, and Mr Hunter had plans to come back and dig it out. We thought we could loosen the soil around the tree to help him, but soon found that we were much stronger than we'd thought, and we were able to pull out the entire tree! It was amazing to see the confidence and satisfaction children exhibited on completing such a task. Children carried the heavy tree as a team. Some tools were brought out when Hamish had the idea of making a hole in the tree so an Owl could move in. Children experimented with different tools to try and make a hole. They discovered that they were able to peel the bark off in long strips - Mac turned his into a belt. Children took turns using a saw to work on cutting off the root ball, with plans to turn it into a Bug hotel.

All of the Early Years Learning Outcomes were evident in this experience. Children developed their identities as strong and capable workers, able to take on new challenges. They worked as a community and considered sustainability as we reflected on the difference between dead and living plants, and used every part of this dead tree - particularly thinking about how it could be used to help animals and insects. Children's wellbeing was enhanced as they spent time outdoors on a sunny winter's day, assessing and managing risk as they learned how to use the Saw safely, listening carefully and following instructions. 

Children used mathematical thinking as they discovered a tape measure, and measured different parts of the tree, as well as comparing the lengths of different pieces of bark they peeled off. We talked about weight as well, and children tested their ability to lift the tree, working together. Children used scientific thinking as they experimented with different tools, predicting which would work for which purpose. Communication was inherent to this experience, children negotiated taking turns with the saw, and explained what they were doing when more children came along and wanted to try out the tools. Children used their language to describe the tree and the experience, and to look after their friends, reminding them of ways to be safe. 

We are looking forward to encouraging more risky play as we start trialling some bush Kinder sessions with the Possum group this term. 

"Adventurers and enquiring minds are nurtured from the early years, they are encouraged to keep trying, never rescued but expected to go further, to seek new ways of thinking and doing. Adventurers are encouraged to be dreamers, to think of what is possible, to challenge what is known and unknown." - ACECQA

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7

Beth Parker

Head of Early Learning

Echidnas

Last week, to warm us all up for the 2024 Olympics, the Year 9 students turned the King’s College Gymnasium into an Olympic stadium for the four-year-old Echidna children!

The Senior students made Olympic rings and flags for the walls, and individual flags for the children to wave during the events. A podium was constructed from the large crash mats, and medals of all grades of precious metals were made and hung ready for the presentation ceremony. But the piece de resistance was the torch lighting ceremony!

The Kinder children lined up with the Year 9 students around the border of the gym and ran from person to person with a very lifelike paper version of the Olympic torch amongst much cheering and celebration! Unfortunately, OH&S policies (and common sense) stopped me from lighting the paper Olympic flame, but this hiccup did not stop us all getting super excited about the hour of fierce competition ahead of us that was displayed through left of centre and totally unconventional Olympic sports.

The Year 9 students set up, ran, and adjudicated events such as:

• The Boy then Girl sprints
   
• The Teacher Sprint (poor Mrs Ezzy literally slid over the finish line face first!)
   
• Musical Hoops
   
• The Bottom Shuffle Races - the Year 9's pulled the Kinder children who were sitting on hand towels, across the stadium.
   
• Toss the Bean Bag at the Teacher – a crowd fave! (and on account of their burgeoning adult strength and tossing capabilities, all senior students were excluded from competing).
   
• Tug of War – all children participated, with a few teacher plants to make the competition fairer!

After the last event, we gathered together at the podium, and with hands on our hearts, sang a rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair – a big shoutout goes to Mrs Robinson and Mr Bond for knowing all the words! We would like to also thank our official press photographer, Mr Perry. Medals were presented to all students amongst more applause as they jostled for a place on the highest crash mat. 

These games were a testimony to the wonderful K-12 community that our amazing School offers, and the hard work of the wonderful, responsible, innovative and creative Year 9 students. From all of us in the Echidna group, we tip our hats to you all for the fabulous and fun ‘Olympic Games of Endurance and Laughter’ that you provided for us. We shan’t quickly forget them! Thank you all so much. 

Encouraging children to participate in the ‘Olympic Games Event’ promoted a sense of persistence and resilience, as reflected in Hebrews 12:1, and aligning with the EYLF's emphasis on developing children's confidence and involvement in physical activities.

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

See more photos here.

Judi Missen

Early Learning Educator

Koalas

This fortnight the Koala Group have been finding out about the Olympic Games. We have looked at the Olympic rings symbol and the children quickly recognise it as meaning Olympics. There has been a lot of excitement among the children around the Olympics; some children have been watching events at home with their families and we have watched some races and swimming together at Kinder. 

They are also fascinated by the medals at the moment, so we made our own medals in gold, silver or bronze. We have been doing paintings at the easel in gold, silver and bronze paints, and we also made shiny treasure boxes using metallic materials.

The Koala Group have had three gym sessions, where they have been demonstrating great strides in listening and switching between tasks. We use team colours and cone markers to help with following directives independently. The children are also showing increased maturity in not always winning, and they are reminding one another of the rules of play to keep things fair. 

We reflect on doing our best like the Olympians do, and that we can't be the winner every time. And the children are starting to say that that's OK! Malachi 1:14 reminds us of the importance of giving our best and fairest effort. Doing our best and trying are paramount to our learning and character.

At Kinder, we have been enjoying some farm animal activities. Several children live on farms and they have been sharing their knowledge and experience with the group. Evie and her Mum, Sarah, brought in their new pet Lamb, Betty. We were able to pat or hold Betty and we were surprised that she was wearing a nappy! Evie told us about what Betty eats and what else she needs to feel happy and to grow up into a woolly Sheep. Betty is the smaller of twin Lambs and she will be a much-loved pet for Evie. Thank you, Evie, we all enjoyed Betty's visit to Kinder.

Sian Duggan 

Early Learning Educator 

Thank You

All of us at King's College Early Learning Centre thank Pearson's Nursery for their generous donation of some herb and vegetable seedlings. Our very loved and cared-for plants have already grown so much, we are looking forward to eating and cooking with them!

Beth Parker

Head of Early Learning