Family Learning Centre Update

THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Hello to all families young and old.

We care very lucky at our lovely Kindergarten and Childcare that we can remain open and have children coming to learn and develop with us. Like you, we can't wait to have all our lives less disrupted and have all our children back with us.

I don't know if you have read Scott's Principal's page yet but we are very excited to have one of our Kinder kids have his idea for 'Name The Crane' to be chosen by the developers and builders of the new GMHBA building in Moorabool Street.

When we first discussed the idea we were going to have an excursion to the site and see the Crane but now of course we are planning to have mum take her children to meet with the architect and have a picture taken near the Crane. Hopefully the Advertiser will be there and we can have some news about the prize.

The winning name is a secret till then, but maybe this picture will give you a clue! shh!!

BUILDING LITERACY IN OUR EARLY LEARNING CENTRE 

Our Papoose Room (Babies)

We have lots of different ways of developing your child’s literacy in our babies room, such as talking, singing, reading, storytelling, drawing and writing. This week, children listened to the animal sound from our interactive puzzle and tried to copy the sounds and then assemble the puzzle pieces.  

Some friends chose their favorite books read to each other and look at the pictures.

At group time Maddy reads books and engages the curious children in their literary early  learning journey.

Pre-Reading Activities in our Kindergarten

Children are recognising their name in different fonts, looking for letters to match the ones on the name tags from left to right. They discuss with their peers and express their needs, such as asking their friends to pass and share the alphabet pieces. Children enjoy developing their fine motor skills, eye/ hand coordination, problem solving and concentration skills.  

This activity builds children’s literacy skills by allowing them to explore different letter fonts and share opinions with friends using verbal language and non-verbal language. 

THE FAMILY CENTRE

With the all of the Centre programs and activities continuing to be limited by restrictions I hope that all of our families are being able to connect online to the services and groups that mean so much to us all. If anyone is having any concerns please call the Centre and we can chat about what we can do to help.

This is a little couch conversation session which you could register for. These sessions are always informative and if just one of the ideas works for you it would be well worth it. 

Kinder Excursions

As all of you know our grounds and gardens originally upgraded by the Bank of Melbourne, and auspiced by Ardoch have been enhanced by Rotary in recent years. Sadly with our groups not able to be onsite the happy sound of children playing in the space has been missing.

However, because our Kinder groups can't go on excursions it was wonderful to have the groups come for an excursion NEXT DOOR.

They see the space everyday but last week they came to visit. It was different areas and different toys and they had a wonderful time.

Here are some beautiful shots and a quick video that will bring smiles to all viewers

And everyone is looking for tips and ideas to keep active children entertained, fed, healthy, busy and learning. To all the mums, dads and carers out there, you are doing a great job!

Until we are able to return to playgroup, here is one of our favourite fun ‘free’ activities, one that is perfect for all ages while at home is PLAYDOUGH.  Never underestimate the potential of this age-old activity to develop play-based foundation skills for literacy, language, maths and science, encouraging imagination, building hand strength and fine motor skills … and the play possibilities are endless! And we always double the recipe and make a bunch of different colours which inevitably end up mixed together too! 

Squash, squeeze, roll and pound the playdough to get those little hand muscles moving, using shape cutters and other playdough toys. PLAY and have fun while at home making lots of shapes, identifying colours, sharing stories and games with your little ones 

You can find a video of the instructions HERE and a bunch of other ideas for play at home at the Playgroup Victoria 

Click here on the button

Method 

• MIX together the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
• ADD food colouring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients
• STIR continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
• ADD a touch more flour until just right and knead vigorously for a couple of minutes
• STORE in plastic or an air tight container, it lasts for ages!

Keep safe everyone. 

Helen

Family Learning Centre Coordinator

Our Community HUBS Australia partners are based at The Family Learning Centre on Goldsworthy and Peacock campus are led by Neema and Kristy (respectively). 

The English Conversation for CALD parent groups meet on Zoom each week and the wonderful sewing group have been busy and involved making much needed face masks via this Youtube tutorial – materials all delivered by our friendly leaders