Early Learning
A TERM IN REVIEW
We have had the busiest time in the Echidna Group this term, and I will try to pack an overview into one article…… which is really like asking me what my short answer is to anything – I don’t do short answers, stories, or conversations, but I’ll give it a shot!
SHAPES
The intentional teaching in our room usually grows from children’s interests in particular topics. During the first few weeks we hit the ground running as we followed their interest in shapes. Now, to the naked eye, shapes can appear boring, but toss in a robust game of ‘Name That Shape’, complete with a compere and walk up quiz show music, child engagement is a given! To continue with the fun (and learning), we followed this up with ‘Make That Shape’ as children formed teams, picked a random card from the shape card pack, and worked together to form that shape with their bodies!
LETTERLAND AND SATPIN
The children wanted to learn how to write ALL the letters, so I combined the SATPIN program with LETTERLAND, and every day we are learning new sounds, letters, upper and lowercase letters, as well as starting to think about blends. The children have clipboards, folders to put their completed work in, and quite often an activity to match the letter for the day. We have even taken our learning over to the school library as we begin to ready these little students for school.
ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE
We rocked our socks off on the stage for our Junior Assembly performance! We always start our day with worshipping God through music and dance, so our performance on stage came naturally to us all….and yep, Mrs Ezzy and I join in every time!
FATHER’S DAY
We made sure all the wonderful fathers in the Echidna community were acknowledged and celebrated on Father’s Day. The children made a special card with a photo of them with their dad or mum on the front. Handprints of the children were made as well, and these items went home and sent straight to the pool room!
SIGNING IN
While the parents are signing their children in, this term the children are signing in by hanging their picture, and first and last name key tags on the Cookie Tree. They then trace their names using Victorian School Font, and trace a number sheet as well.
DENTAL VISIT
The Dental Van made its yearly scheduled visit and Kelsey was wonderful with the children. She explained exactly what she would be doing by using soft toys to model the experience – who knew that bears went to the dentist??!!! Kelsey also talked about sometimes and all the time foods, so nutrition learning was included!
EXTRAS
The children made a HUGE birthday card for Ms Bennett’s fiftieth birthday (only kidding, Beth – we know you are only forty!). Play -based learning continued indoors and outdoors. Harvey and Hughie opened a motel in the yard, asked me for my passport, and directed me upstairs to the top of the fort play equipment to my room. I suggested that next time a chocolate on the pillow may boost their ratings on Trivago……
IN CONCLUSION
All in all, it’s been a fast paced, learning heavy, and fun term. God has continued to keep most of us well for most of the term as the dreaded lurgy floats in and out of the centre. Katie and I continue to serve God and the community by glorifiying, honouring, and reflecting His love through all we do, whilst thanking Him every day for His provision over the kinder. That’ll preach.
Judi Missen
Teacher