Early Learning
Monday Wombats
The Monday Wombat group have continued their interest in cooking lots of different dishes in the mud kitchen outside. After making cupcakes with playdough and counting candles to put in them, the children had the idea of making some real cupcakes. We looked at two recipes, one was in a book, and showed us how to make Wombat Stew! We made Wombat Stew but we didn’t want to eat it. Then we followed a recipe to make cupcakes. We definitely wanted to eat those! The Wombat children exercised patience and turn taking. They held the bowl for each other while stirring, and by working together were able to make and eat some delicious cupcakes. Children took a recipe home to share with their families.
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning
Friday Wombats
The Wombats continue to be fascinated by bugs. We have been looking for insects in our Kinder yard, and have even found some in our classroom. The Wombats are learning about taking care of living things by being gentle, respectful and observant. Liam and Indi used a drawing provocation to draw a big spider, counting out eight legs.
The Wombats have been using real images and toy insects to practice visual motor skills through their topic of interest. Building "Beetles" together, the Wombats learnt about the different parts of a Beetle and had fun creating different colour combinations, naming their Beetles and chatting with others around the table.
We are anticipating the coming Christmas period as we listen to Bible stories leading up to Jesus' birth, finished making our big Family Christmas Tree, and are learning some special Christmas songs.
Sian Duggan
Early Learning Teacher
Bees & Wombats
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:7
Kneeling at the feet of the children to wash the outside play mud and dirt off was a humbling but precious experience. We talked to them about Jesus washing the feet of his friends, and how much dirtier and worn out their feet would have been because they walked everywhere with sandals on. The children discussed how ‘stinky’ the feet would have been, and that Jesus was a good friend to do it for them. We spoke of Jesus’ love for his friends, and for us now. Reflection on this experience reinforces that doing can be more beneficial than telling when it comes to sharing the Gospel.
Judi Missen
Early Learning Teacher
Bees
The Bee group enjoyed a session with the Responsible Pet Ownership program last week. Through songs and role play, we learned when it is not safe to approach a dog, how to ask someone if you can pat their dog and how to pat a dog safely. The Bee group were very engaged and most of them had a turn of patting Tucker the dog. They were able to share their learning from the experience:
“Don’t touch a dog when it’s asleep or eating”
Walter
“Don’t pat a dog if there’s no owner”
Indy
“Don’t be rough with them”
Dusty
“Don’t touch them when they’re sick”
Harvey
“Don’t poke your hand through the fence”
George
The children also remembered how they can safely pat a dog with its owner. First ask “can I pat your dog please?” (Walter reminded us not to forget the please). Then you walk to the dog in a curved line like a banana and hold your hand in a fist for it to sniff. Then you can pat it gently on the back. Tucker seemed to enjoy all of the pats, and the Bee group demonstrated care and kindness as they gently and respectfully approached Tucker.
The Bee group had another opportunity to show care for the world around us when we found a butterfly in our Kinder room. Our learning here linked to the VEYLDF Outcome 2, as children showed care and respect for the environment and living things. The children didn’t want the butterfly to be scared, and thought about how it might feel, even though they desperately wanted to touch it! We were able to see its long curled proboscis and found a flower for it in case it wanted some nectar. We kept it inside while it was raining.
All of this kindness is exemplified every day in the Bee group, towards their environment, and towards their teachers and each other. They have filled their kindness jar once again, and enjoyed another prize, this time a fidget toy. We talked about fairness and questioned if it was fair for everyone to get a prize, even if someone had done something that might have been unkind. Becoming aware of fairness is another component of the VEYLDF Outcome 2, as children begin to think critically about fair and unfair behaviour, and develop their capacity to act with compassion and kindness. After initially thinking it wouldn't be fair, we remembered that Jesus loves us and that God our Father likes to give us good things, even though we don't always do the right thing.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17
Children then wanted to extend the gift of grace, and gain greater joy through making sure everybody got a prize.
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."
Psalm 103:8
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning
Ants
Christmas is sneaking up on us, so the Ant Group has started ‘blinging’ up the windows with Yuletide greeting aplenty. After the paint was applied, they glitter bombed the artwork to add the appropriate sparkle to their Christmas greetings!
This term the Ant Group are becoming increasingly interested in using letters, numbers and symbols in pre-writing play. Our florist has been turned into an ice-cream stand and café, with children busily taking orders on note paper. Word cards and numbers have been provided for them to copy from as they order ice creams, coffees and cakes. Playing with symbols, letters, and words is important as the children develop early reading and writing concepts.
The function and enjoyment of reading and writing are used in fun and relaxed play. Iris used as many letters as she could remember, utilising her existing knowledge to represent words and practice forming letters. Jack drew neat symbols to represent writing. The Ants have also been using numbers 10 to 20 in puzzles, bingo games, and ice cream orders. They are learning to recognise and name these numbers, to count out and to rote count as high as they can go. Several children are beginning to recognise patterns in numbers, and others know all numbers to 100 and beyond. Owen built a tower that he said cost "$100 and $100 and $20" to build, using play money with his construction work.
We are looking forward to our visit to Cudgee Wildlife Park next Tuesday. Some children have also been visiting their new schools for orientation sessions. Lots to be excited about at Kinder this month!
Judi Missen & Sian Duggan
Early Learning Teachers