Early Learning
Possums
The children in the Possum Group have been playing in a post office dramatic play area lately, writing cards and letters to each other, family members, and some lucky teachers! Each of the Possum children wrote a letter to someone else in the group. They worked very hard on their letters, thinking about the person receiving it, and what they might like. It was very tricky to keep each letter a surprise from its recipient, but we managed!
Last week we got to hop on the King's College school bus, and drive to Flagstaff Hill to post our letters. Thank you Mr Emeny and Mr Zeunert for taking us on the bus! All of the Possum children lined up to post their letter. It was Friday, so we knew we had a little bit of a wait for our letters to arrive. We also drove past some local sights, and stopped off at Annie's house where she ducked inside and came back with lollipops for everyone!
Children learned about stamps, and how that means the postal workers get paid for their work. They also learned about addresses, including a return address, and how that shows where the letter needs to go. Luckily we haven't had any bounce back to kinder! This week we started to hear the exciting news of children getting their letters! Mail is usually for grown ups, so to receive a surprise letter from a friend with your own name on the envelope is quite exciting.
Learning to read and write means we can do amazing and meaningful things - like giving and receiving letters and Christmas cards! We are excited for children to continue on their literacy journey, and to fall in love with reading. It won't be long before they are reading for themselves, and discovering getting lost in a story, the excitement of learning something new, and the comfort and hope that comes from God’s Word.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4
Beth Bennett
Head of Early Learning
Koalas
The Koala Group have been busy preparing for Christmas, finding out about the nativity and learning special songs which they'll perform for their families. Lots of decorations are being made: baubles, paper chains, threading crafts for the Christmas tree and stencil paintings.
The Koalas took some time out of their busy program to experience the Bush Kinder environment, which they'll use regularly next year in their 4 year-old groups. Their first impressions of Bush Kinder were extremely positive!
"I want to come back tomorrow" said London.
"Bush Kinder was so much fun" agreed Stevie.
"I'm a Koala in the tree!" laughed Isoa.
"I'm staying here forever!" Jesse announced, from up on a tree branch.
The bouncy tree branch was a favourite part for lots of children; they demonstrated growing confidence, resilience and determination as they climbed, slid off, tried again, and climbed up even higher! The Bush Kinder space affords the children loads of opportunity to challenge themselves and to play in new ways.
The Koalas were disappointed that they had to first enjoy Christmas celebrations and summer holidays before they can have more Bush Kinder fun! There are so many new experiences to look forward to when they begin their 4 year-old groups next year.
Sian Duggan
Early Learning Educator