Early Learning Centre

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

Children have been learning to interact with care, empathy and respect, checking on their friends when they are hurt or feeling unwell, remaining respectful when they don't win a game and helping to take care of the room through tidying or setting up for lunch.

They are taking pride in their independence as they do up buttons and zips as they add jackets for the cold weather, or replace their shoes with gumboots for splashing in puddles.

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

Our three year old groups had a visit from Wild Action which allowed them to get close to Australian animals and learn how they each have a role to play in keeping our wildlife and land safe and healthy. They also learned things they can do to help nurture our wildlife. Through dramatic play areas, children have been sharing and making connections between their life experiences with imaginative play as veterinarians, pizza makers and campers.

Last week, the children enjoyed wearing their pjs to kinder and learned about donating money to help others, sparking conversations about how we can help others.

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing 

Children have been reflecting on the different emotions we can show and learning how to read body language of others. They have been practising a range of self regulation techniques and sharing what helps each of them to regulate, from using crash cushions to butterfly breaths, smelling flowers to bear hugs, having a drink of water or reading a book, understanding that each can help depending on how they are feeling. They are also taking more conscious action in keeping healthy as they cover their mouth/nose when coughing/sneezing, using tissues and washing hands regularly.

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners  

As they complete the inquiry into "We express our thoughts and ideas through different mediums", children have begun adapting their skills to different mediums or to challenge themselves, moving from pipe cleaners to wire constructs, creating specific coloured backgrounds instead of making do with premade items and making items to add to their dramatic play areas. Their confidence in using 'new' tools has increased, led by curiosity to discover new possibilities for their creative minds.

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators 

Children have been practising their communication skills through play and negotiation of spaces and resources. They are learning body safety rules, including how to ask for and give consent for hugs and high-fives, understanding they are the boss of their own bodies and can say 'no' and if they hear 'no', they need to listen. Through group times, children have been learning to listen to other's ideas and share their own, while practising their comprehension skills as they listen to stories and then retell them.

Inquiry:                                      We express our thoughts and ideas 

 through different mediums 

An Inquiry by the ELC children into: 

• Different mediums and techniques- Exploring the visual arts 
• Ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy creativity 
• Ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values 

Goals 

• For the children to use language and representations from play and art to share and project meaning 
• For the children to use symbols in play to represent and make meaning  
• For the children to use creative arts such as drawing, painting, sculpturing, collage, and construction to express ideas and make meaning 
• For children to explore ideas and theories using imagination, creativity, and play