Learning Across the ELC
Shapes and Lines in the Preschool
Over the last fortnight our preschool children have been investigating and inquiring about shapes and lines in our preschool environment and exploring the shapes and lines found in our Loreto community. We discovered that there are shapes everywhere, for us to name and describe their properties. We also noticed lots of signs are made using shapes too and these signs help keep us safe. The children have been taking photos and drawing their findings as well as revisiting them on the big screen and in art provocations. There has been a real curiosity about metal shapes found in the footpaths, what letters and shapes they recognise on them and what might be under them, we have discovered Telstra logos, SA Water, electricity, storm water and sewerage access points as well as patterns on metal drains too. Children were very interested to discover the shapes and patterns on the soles of their shoes and have been noticing the brick/paver patterns on the buildings and footpaths around them. When looking at signs that keep us safe, many children were drawn to the fire safety, poison and stop signs, however they were not as familiar with our exit and disability signs. We have been exploring how to make different shapes with our bodies and loose parts. By counting the sides of the shapes we have been able to learn their names and compare the properties of shapes. We have been building children's vocabulary with words like corners, sides, curved, straight lines, edges, points, children have also been using words like wobbly, zig zag, wonky donky, curvy, and squiggly. We have discovered that there are "flat shapes" (2D shapes) and "fat shapes" (3D shapes) and have found circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, hexagons, love hearts, diamonds, ovals, pentagons, and even a decagon 10 sided shape!
What shapes do you have in and around your home?
Ms Ollie Lauder
ELC Teacher
Book Week
Book Week is a celebration of literature and imagination. Book Week was celebrated with enthusiasm, children enjoyed dressing up, sharing their favourite stories and engaged in various activities indoors/outdoors in the Banksia Room. To celebrate Book Week 2023- 'Read, Grow and Inspire', Banksia children used their creativity and imagination to make their own picture books. Children loved the opportunity to use their imagination by sharing their wonderful stories. We had our own voting system and children had the opportunity to vote for their favourite book. It was an exciting week of celebrating the world of books and role-playing various characters.
Science Week
It was Science Week and we involved the children in various experiments. We have been investigating air, water, oil and the human body. This has been very interesting for the children as they have been involved in questioning, hypothesising and making predictions. We looked closely at the respiratory system and that it takes up oxygen from the air we breathe and expels the unwanted carbon dioxide. The main organ of the respiratory system is the lungs. Other respiratory organs include the nose, the trachea and the breathing muscles (the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles). We will also be looking at the digestive system, nervous system and urinary system.
Children naturally engage with scientific concepts and processes in their play and as they explore their world. Early childhood educators can recognise, celebrate and build on these moments. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
News from Wattle
A big Thank you to all our lovely families for participating in the book week by dressing up children in their favorite costumes. We loved watching children dressed up in various characters from Gruffalo, Pirate, Emma wiggles, Hairy Maclary, Hungry caterpillar, ladybug to name a few. Children had so much fun showing each other their costumes and then proudly walking around the Oak tree for our ELC parade.
Ms Manasi Kewlani
ELC Team Leader
News from Gumnut
In week 5, we celebrated Book Week 2023.
Books and literacy are celebrated each day as we read to and with the children, encouraging early literacy skills that prompt children to seek out moments of reading by themselves or with other children. Pointing at pictures, holding books and discovering how to turn pages are all early literacy skills, that are precursor to those learnt in later years.
Children were encouraged to dress up as characters and/or bring in books they enjoy! Each day, we saw different characters, outfits and books which we enjoyed reading together. On Thursday, some of our Gumnut children and educators joined others in the Banksia yard for a small parade, joining the ELC community and walking around the big oak tree!
Encouraging children’s positive attitudes and competencies in literacy and numeracy are essential for all children’s successful learning. The foundations for these competencies are built in early childhood (p.57)
Ms Manasi Kewlani
ELC Team Leader
