River Room
During Term 2, the children are growing up and becoming into their individual self. It's almost like they are a butterflies and they are spreading their wings ready to fly as they continue to grow and learn about the world around them. Speaking of butterflies we had a special visit from butterfly adventures who read story books, brought dress up wings for us to dance in and had one on one with live butterflies. This incursion was in line with our discovery of the bug life. We explore with caterpillars, butterflies, worms, bees, spiders and lady birds. The children develop on their imaginary play, arts and crafts skills and exploring with using their sensors (touch, sight and hearing).
We have begun the journey of sharing amazing story books in a group setting. The stories are read by the educators and on popular demand by the children to have bonkers (monkey puppet) and Eddie (emu puppet) to attend our story times. During this time, the children observe the shapes and colours of the pictures, they listen to the words been read to them, begin to identify the picture to its word and on our one on one special moment of reading the child practice turning the page of the books. Books are important to the children's learning as they develop their seeing bright colours which form into a picture/scene, identify words by listen to the words been spoken and concentration on a task. Picture books and stories been read, to support all age groups in their communication skill and developing on a beautiful bond between educator and child.
We explored the basics of science and mathematics to begin to learn about spatial awareness and balancing. Educators demonstrate this to the children through stacking a variety of objects into a tower or piling each item into one. We used cups, bowls, boxes, blocks, bottles and other loose resources. At first couple attempts the children would position the base, then the second item would be wobblily from time to time. The children continue to practice this through repetition play. After practicing this skill the children are now beginning to stack three levels or more at the one time. Also piling them into one column as the pile becomes higher and higher each time. What amazing human beings we have here in the river room!
Educators present their endless support and care for the children as we interact with each child. We've notice a change of the children's interactions as they begin to show nurturing and caring emotions towards the baby doll and other children. The children are mimicking the adults in how they interact with themselves and other children. The children would help feed the babies (using spoon and bowl, bottles), assist baby with putting their nappy on, assist with putting on clothes, prepare the baby for sleep time, giving baby cuddles, and carry the baby around the room. The children are developing a sense of empathy through caring and gentle interactions. Speaking of interactions - we've notice our older children are interacting more with our younger children. The older children are getting down to the younger children whilst being at the same eye level. They express themselves through facial expressions. Also the older children are sharing their toy with the younger children to encourage them to explore with different items. It's beautiful to witness this moment of interaction between the two age groups.
What a wonderful term term 2 have been for us. A lot of learning and growing is occurring, whilst children are achieving their individual milestones. Wonder what term 3 has lie in wait for us. See you then.
From River Room Team
Grace, Chethena, Cate, Jess, Chloe, Sok & Julie