Early Learning

Outcome 2 of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework is often referred to as "community" and describes children connecting with and contributing to their world. Contributing in social settings strengthens children’s sense of identity, wellbeing and belonging. As educators, we feel so lucky to be part of a community with our children and their families. We are looking forward to connecting with Kinder families at a picnic next Wednesday, and we wanted to share some other Kinder happenings where community has been a highlight.

Children Connecting & Contributing

Children in the Possum Group each contributed to our birthday chart, as they worked collaboratively in small groups to create three different wonderful possum pictures! Each child was responsible for one part of one Possum and were able to work together to add all the parts together. Children are learning how to contribute to a group, and how to see themselves as individuals who are an important part of our group. Watching the children discover their value within our community reminds us of the words Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:

“In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honoured, every part shares in its joy" 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

Children have also started contributing to our floor book, where we talk, draw and write about things we have been learning about.

Families Connecting & Contributing

We have been blessed with so much family involvement in our program already this year. Parents have helped us to make delicious pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and helped to run a very active session in the gym! I have noticed in the mornings, parents who are dropping their own children off will help another child with some cutting, or reading a story, or finding something on the shelf. We have also had contributions from families responding to children's learning by sending in photos, books, and even some frogs! Drop off time in the morning is a buzz of activity, and the sense of community and common values of creating a positive learning environment for our children feels tangible.

The Wider Community Connecting & Contributing

Our amazing Mrs Missen has been sharing her initiative of using a bread maker to help each child in the Possum group make a loaf of bread that they can take home for their family. We soon realised it was going to take a long time for everyone in our group to have a turn, so we turned to the community to ask for help. Debbie Dalziel saw our post on Facebook, and very kindly donated a Breadmaker so we could have two on the go, and it has been working a treat! Then some lovely Grandparents contacted the Yo-Dough Hamper Co. and they provided us with a brand new Breadmaker! We are blown away by the generosity of our community, and send our grateful thanks to Debbie, Mick, Maree and the Yo-Dough Hamper Co. Thank you so much!

Beth Parker

Head of Early Learning

Wombats

As part of an exploration around their identity, this week the children had the opportunity to put together pieces of a photo of themselves which had been cut into segments – forehead, eyes, nose and mouth. A mirror was available for the children to look at to assist them in ordering the pieces on their page in a way that resembled their face. At circle time we talked about how God has made us all different and special. We have read the books, I Like Myself and Different Like Me, and learnt a new song – God Made Me.

“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.

Psalm 139:14

Hayley Pallister

Early Learning Teacher