Early Learning
Koalas
The Koala Group has been exploring different feelings and facial expressions at Kindergarten. We have focused on all feelings being necessary and ok to experience, and that feelings can change throughout the day. We are also learning that we can help change our feelings if they are causing us some problems!
One of our problems has been missing our parents a lot during our Kinder day, so we met together as a group and talked it through. I drew a mind map of pictures and words as the children shared what they were feeling.
"I'm sad when Mummy says goodbye" said Isoa.
"We miss Mummy" shared Stevie.
We asked the children Why do our Mummies bring us to Kinder?
"We come here to play" said Harper.
"We come to Kinder to learn stuff" added Isabella.
So we established that Kinder was another special place where we can learn while we play, and that our parents want us to have fun there. The children then came up with some strategies that can help them feel happy while they are missing their parents, including some of their favourite things they like to do at Kinder (playing, swings, going outside, using play dough). The teachers had thought of another big thing we can do when we are feeling sad or are apart from our loved ones: We can pray and tell God about it! So that's what we all did, together.
Our picture mind map is on the wall to remind us of our discussion and our prayer, and it prompts us to manage our emotions and outcomes. Ever since then we have seen great strides in the children's independence and sense of wellbeing while they're at Kinder; some of the children have been setting themselves goals to stay at Kinder until the very end of the session... and they have achieved their goal! That's a pretty big deal!
The children have been sharing with us some positive new feelings, like feeling proud, feeling brave enough to take risks, enjoying feeling "silly" and joking around in funny dress-ups, and recognising when they are feeling happy. "This is actually making me feel happy" said Isaiah who found that being busy designing with a connector set helped him to feel happy.
The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework emphasises that "a strong sense of wellbeing is crucial for children's learning and development, as it provides them with confidence and optimism, which in turn maximises their learning potential".
When we feel happy, safe and connected to others, our brains are equipped to learn.
Part of achieving a strong sense of wellbeing is by acknowledging and respecting children's needs and feelings, and ensuring their voices are heard. Children are encouraged to be active participants in their learning communities and to contribute to decisions about matters that affect them.
And we have all learned an important point: "Cast all your anxieties on Him (the Lord), because He cares for you" - 1 Peter 5:7, NIV.
More ways the children have been exploring feelings is by recognising lots of different facial expressions and replicating them using play dough, pasting, drawing and painting, pulling faces and matching these with actions and body language, singing songs and listening to stories about feelings. Children have been drawing lots of different faces and telling us about the reason behind the feeling that they drew. Others have painted their whole families and shared about what makes each family member feel happy. All these experiences help us to remember that all our feelings are important and transient.
Sian Duggan
Early Learning Educator
Wombats
The three-year-old Wombat group had a big adventure on Monday, walking across to the big school for a play on the nature playground. We met teachers, admin staff, big kids and a dog on the way! The playground was an exciting and tricky challenge and everyone loved climbing and balancing on it, and enjoying the natural beauty of creation.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. - Psalm 104:25
Robyn Parker
Early Learning Educator