Early Learning

Possums

Once upon a time there was a group of children at King's College Early Learning called the Possums. They had a Bluey toy that they used for Circle Time and they noticed their teacher had a Chilli toy in her office. They asked "why do you keep Chilli in your office?" 

Their teacher showed them that Chilli had a big hole in her back, where the stuffing was coming out. The children decided to help fix Chilli, and learned how to do some sewing. Then they helped to fix Finlay's pink bunny, a sock, a broken candle, lots of other toys, balls that needed pumping, things that needed new batteries and even a dying plant. Children brought in things from home to fix. They used screwdrivers, needles and thread, scissors, glue, tape, a pump, and a sewing machine. 

The children needed a space for all of their fixing, so they helped to make a Repair Shop. They made a sign for people to know all about it. It read:

"Can you please bring us things that are dying and broken. 

 

We can fix:

- toys

- dolls

- machines that have ran out of batteries

- things that need pumping

- containers

- pants

- dresses

- shoes

 

This is our repair shop cos we're learning about fixing stuff. We don't want to throw them away because it will waste your money and you might not have any money left. We can put our things on the shelf so we know we can fix them. We like to help our earth." 

Being able to fix their belongings and those of others is empowering! The big ideas and concepts children are demonstrating behind their repair shop learning include care, independence, initiative and responsibility. 

If you would like to bring anything for the Possum children to fix, please feel free to leave it with Ash at reception! (please note we have no recognised qualifications among our repair team).

Beth Parker

Head of Early Learning

Echidnas

This fortnight, the Echidnas have been creating with nature and exploring the changes in our environment during the late stages of winter. They have had a go at painting some Winter Wattle that came from our school grounds, and using a large donation of citrus fruits to cut, squeeze, mix, pour and taste. The Echidnas are getting into cooking and writing out their own nature recipes to use in the outdoor kitchen.

We have been focusing on kindness and being helpful this term. Our classroom Supermonkey has been going home with each child to stay over at their homes and have adventures. She is always a kind and helpful monkey, which is why she is such a superhero! Sometimes Supermonkey helps children to try a new food, helps them pack away their LEGO, or cheers them on during a swimming lesson. The children then talk to the group about their adventures with Supermonkey, and we are putting together a special photo book to share at Kinder.   

As part of our community and kindness focus, we have also been drawing our self portraits and examining what makes each of us unique and special. The Echidnas brought along some upcycled photo frames to display their art in our classroom. The children have been drawing and painting themselves and their characteristics positively, with someone they love, or even as a princess (because that's what their parents call them!) It has been so encouraging listening to the children chat about their strengths and views of themselves while they work on their self portraits.

Sian Duggan

Early Learning Teacher