Early Learning Centre

3-Year-Old Kinder

ELC3 had a visit from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Environmental Education to learn all about our local environment.

The children explored a seed's journey from the ground as it sprouts and grows up through the soil, growing into a large tree. They learned how the plant then grows fruit which can drop more seeds for the cycle to continue, and then each child planted a pea seed in the garden. The children then rolled flower seeds with soil into balls and waited for them to dry. We will plant these around the garden. 

Next, the children were invited to wet their hands and hold a worm as we learned about composting and our soil. We listened to a story about a little red house with no doors or windows, a chimney, with a star inside- it was an apple! The children were each given a Strawberry Gum leaf to take home: a native bush food. We can make tea from our leaves!

4-Year-Old Kinder

Asia

During a recent kindergarten session, Ibu Newton and her son shared photos and many cultural items to assist the children in understanding the rich experiences their family were able to enjoy together. 

The class investigated and hypothesised what was inside the husk, what they believed it would taste like and how they would open it.

Ideas included: a butter knife, chainsaw, paper plate, childrens rakes and a class favourite was the doll's pram. We gathered as many items as we could- except the chainsaw!!! To conclude the investigation, once the coconut was opened with a hammer and butter knife; the children sampled the coconut water and the white flesh inside. 

It would have been much easier had the children listened to their grown ups at home prior to arriving at kindergarten and opened the coconuts with a drill or hammer initially; however by exploring materials within the classroom the children were able to build their scientific thinking and extend their knowledge of trial and error practices. 

Thankyou Ibu Newton and Elijah for sharing your culture with us. It was a terrific two days of collaborative learning with family partnership and children's curiosity and wonder.

Africa

Safari sunsets, hippopotamus trotting and African Jewellery were all ideas discussed as Africa was explored in week two of Term 3. 

We were very fortunate that one of our student’s family members grew up in South Africa and we had another wonderful presentation by this second family to share African customs, transitions and language with us. The children heard Yianni and his Mum recite the Afrikaans alphabet as well as count numbers 1-10. 

We learnt how different cultures have different incomes and that in Africa the population makes many of their own toys and saw some small dolls and an elephant. 

Among the discussions the children discovered the nation is big on sport by following Rugby, that the team is named after the Springbok which is a type of antelope and that there are some delicious ingredients and cuisines such as south Africa pumpkins (gem squash) and some biltong (traditional dried meat) and melktert (milk tart) which is also a very traditional dessert. We were fortunate to taste the biltong and Melktert and may have a few new ideas  in the lunch boxes in the coming weeks as the children showed their enjoyment in these delicacies. 

Thankyou Marlétia, Yianni and younger brother Tiaan for sharing your culture with us. The children loved learning from your families’ experiences and trying new food items. 

Library Classes

This term we are fortunate to have Book Week as an event that we can participate in alongside the Primary School. The children have been chatting to their families about books and costumes already despite it occurring later in the term. To encourage the children in participating in this day and understanding why we as a College celebrate books and Literacy; Mrs Champion, our Teacher Librarian, decided in this term’s lessons the children would read the nominated early childhood books to our class to show another side of how we can celebrate this event. 

This fortnight we read “Lionel and Me” by Corinne Fenton (text), Tracie Grimwood (illustrations). Whilst this book is about a pet dog learning to accept a new puppy into the household, it would also provide a very useful tool in supporting discussions about a new family member, and the mixed feelings that come with this.