Glen Education Aspendale North

An Underwater Adventure

Sharon Burgess, Early Childhood Educator

As a team, we have witnessed many magical moments during our first term at Glen ANK. 

One that comes to mind, is how our 'underwater world' adventure has evolved. It was a spontaneous and child-initiated play space for all to enjoy.   Our curious and adventurous explorer, James, was the instigator of our sea world adventure.   James had been searching for just the right place in the kindergarten room to settle and enjoy.  He spotted the large wooden boat and decided it would be a fun place to explore and extend on.   

This brought on discussions as to what else he would like to add to his 'underwater' play space.  Together we found the large box of sea animals which James sorted through and managed to find just the right sea animals to add to his play space.  James then said, ‘We need some blue material for the water”, and that is just what we managed to find in the material box.   The finishing touch was discovering a large roll of silver paper which James decided would be perfect for the seaweed. James confidently cut out each strip and with some help taped each individual strip to his sea world.  With the scene set, James was then ready to explore and have some fun imagining and sharing his sea world adventure with some friends. 

James’ magical sea world adventure has been enjoyed by so many children at the kindergarten.  It has been one of the favourite places in the room to visit and explore. The play has also extended to our creative art spaces, where the children are creating their own fishing rods.  

Early Years Learning Framework (2022) Outcomes that are supported by this learning are:

Outcome 1 – Children have a strong sense of identity. 

1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and sense of agency. 

Outcome 3 – Children have a strong sense of wellbeing. 

3.1.4 – Seeking out and accepting new challenges, making new discoveries, and celebrating their own efforts and achievements and those of others. 

Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learners. 

4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, co-operation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity. 

4.1.4 following and extending their own interests with enthusiasm, energy and concentration.