Banksia Group Term 2, 2022

Banksia Group

To start we need to say a big welcome to Fiona who is the new teacher in Banksia group as Emma has now started her maternity leave. Over the term, she will be busy getting to know the Banksia group and the team at Livingston. She is full of enthusiasm and new ideas, which we can’t wait for her to bring to the team.

Term 2 has seen Banksia exploring maps, buildings/construction and using their imaginations to create art and engage in role-play experiences.

This term we have introduced the children to Buddy Time.  We began by inviting all the children to listen to a social story called Playing with My Friends. This story explores how some children may be too shy to talk and play with other children and then emphasises the importance to stay, play and talk with a peer during play. After the story we began buddy time, this is where we pair the children up for 10-30 minutes and ask them to stay, play and talk with their buddy. During Buddy Time we support the children when required. Buddy Time supports children to develop their social skills, confidence in new social environments, build new relationships and develop negotiation skills. The children have shown such enthusiasm for this experience and have even begun asking when we will do Buddy Time again. This is an experience we will continue for the rest of the year and expand with a variety of activities and to project work. 

Cooking has become a staple part of our program in Banksia and is something we will continue to embed in our practice. We hope to expand it to incorporate more of our edible garden as the plants grow so the children have the full circle experience of planting, caring for and then eating what they have grown. Cooking is not only a fundamental life skill but is a rounded teaching experience which promotes language development, and mathematical concepts such as an understanding of volume, capacity, measurement and quantity, turn taking and other social skills as well as a sense of belonging. Through cooking we also endeavour to invite families to share recipes from their families and cultures.

Lastly just a quick reminder to check your child's spare clothing is weather appropriate and still fits as the year continues.  As the weather is getting cooler you may also want to include a winter hat and some wet weather clothing. 

Emma, Fiona, Shannyn, Amy and Kath