Early Learning Centre

On this page: Mapping our World, ELC - Year 2 Sports Day, Early Explorers

Mapping our World

Over the past few weeks, the Preschool class has embarked on an exciting journey exploring maps!  

We discussed what maps are, why we use them, and how they help us navigate and understand the world around us. Together, we explored key map features, such as symbols, lines, compass directions, and markers, learning how they provide valuable information about our location and journey. The children eagerly shared their own experiences and everyday uses of maps.

Following the children's interests, our geographical adventure truly took off as we gathered around the classroom's new world globe. This sparked wonderful curiosity and conversations about the diverse countries our families come from, including England, India, China, Indonesia, Greece, the Philippines, Japan, and many more. The children had great fun locating these nations on both the globe and our large world map, connecting classroom learning to their own family backgrounds.

At our mapping table, the children are blossoming into little cartographers! They have been experimenting with drawing familiar spaces, from our classroom and homes to their daily routes to preschool. We also explored neighbourhood landmarks and street signs, drawing our own maps to illustrate our journeys to school.

We look forward to continuing this wonderful mapping journey as we explore our learning environment and look ahead to what our Foundation classes will bring next year! 

We also enjoyed reading Let’s Go Strolling by Katrina Germein. Following the story, the children shared observations about what they see when they leave their homes. They identified familiar landmarks such as parks, churches, shops, and even friends’ houses, while others noticed road features including stop signs and roundabouts. Inspired by these discussions, the children enthusiastically created their own maps, drawing their homes as well as our classroom and garden spaces. This experience encouraged them to develop their observation, mapping, and early spatial awareness skills.

Blessings,

Ellice Kalialaha & Leesa Sanders

Preschool Teachers

Links to Learning:

OUTCOME 2: CHILDREN ARE CONNECTED WITH AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR WORLD

• Children develop a sense of connectedness to groups and communities and an understanding of their reciprocal rights and responsibilities as active and informed citizens 

OUTCOME 4: CHILDREN ARE CONFIDENT AND INVOLVED LEARNERS 

• Children develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 
• Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another 

OUTCOME 5: CHILDREN ARE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS

• Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
• Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts 
• Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media 
• Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work

ELC - Year 2 Sports Day

Thank you parents for coming to watch us at Sports Day! We loved climbing over obstacles, jumping over hurdles and running in the sprints with our friends!

Enjoy some photos from the ELC below

Early Explorers

We have lots of fun playing with the activities, using our imagination, and making new friends last Term.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining one of our next sessions this term, we'd love to have you. 

Upcoming Sessions

• Wednesday 4th November
• Wednesday 2nd December

8:45am-10:15am 

Brooklyn Park Library - Level 2

Early Explorers is a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to connect with our Emmaus community through play, stories, songs, and shared experiences. 

For more information, please contact Kim Sabine at ksabine@emmauscc.sa.edu.au.

Upcoming Events Term 4