Learning Across the ELC

Connections with Banksia Friends

Children develop a sense of belonging when they feel accepted, develop attachments and trust those that care for them. As children are developing their sense of identity, they explore different aspects of it (physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive), through their play and their relationships. When children feel safe, secure and supported they grow in confidence to explore and learn.

(EYLF Outcome 2.1 children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation)

To continue with our Inquiry 'What discoveries can we explore and investigate in Banksia?' and to combine with the children's emerging interest, this fortnight we have introduced 'loose parts' play.  

What is loose parts play? Loose parts play involves providing children with a variety of open-ended materials or objects that they can manipulate, explore, and use in imaginative and creative ways. These objects can be moved, combined, and transformed by children according to their own ideas and interests. The open-ended nature of the materials allows for endless possibilities and encourages children to engage in imaginative play, experimentation, and discovery.

Benefits of loose parts play:

• Supports children's cognitive development by promoting problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Enhances creativity and imagination as the children use the range of materials in numerous ways. This is where new inventions are created…the options are endless.
• Building on the children's social skills and collaboration as the children engage in cooperative play, share resources, and discuss creations. The children begin to make predictions during each step of the process. 
• Further developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as children manipulate and manipulate the objects.

Ms Gemma Francis

ELC Educator

Cardboard Boxes

During this experience, the children were invited to explore recycled boxes. These boxes were different in size and shape, and the children loved the open-ended possibilities. On the first day, the boxes were set up indoors as the weather was too wet outside. Georgia had asked for 'sticky tape' for the boxes to make them and it was then we quickly realised that the children enjoyed sticking the boxes back together. This experience saw the children stacking, sticking, jumping, and climbing inside the boxes.

Matilda C - I made a house

Esmae - It can't be open

Sophia M-  There going to be no holes

Matilda B - It's a house for my baby

Alice - A cubby house

Oliver - Gemma, It's taller than me

Myles - Can I hide in the box?

Austen - I can make a car

Max - You can't see me 

Harvey - I hiding 

Ms Gemma Francis

ELC Educator

Storytelling with Banksia Gold

To extend on the children’s ideas of storytelling we organised two incursions in the last fortnight. Sue Harris performed her 'Around The World With Puppets’ show, introducing us to puppets from China, India, Europe, USA and Australia. We were exposed to, fabric hand puppets, marionette string puppets, shadow puppets and even a wooden planchette puppet that was over 100 years old. The children engaged with each performance, some puppets were given voices and others simply told stories through movement and music. Sue was fabulous at involving the children in the show, and the laughter echoed around the hall as the puppets got up to some mischief. Everyone was eager to meet ‘Trev’ the cheeky Australian Emu at the end of the show. 

Trent Hill from the Adelaide Botanic Gardens also visited us to share a Dreaming Story about ‘Gidigol’. Trent illustrated the key parts of the story on the whiteboard and continued to add to his drawing as Gidigol left his Wardli (home) and went on a journey. The children shared the messages they took from the story:

He lied.

My mum says if you lie you will get a long nose.

He ate all the food.

You have to ask.

And say please.

He drank all the water.

And he said lying.

He stealded it.

He kept saying no… I never say no to my Nana.

The sisters gave him all the food.

We have also been continuing our ‘We are all storytellers’ inquiry with a Julia Donaldson Author study. The children have been interested in making the ‘Gruffalo’ character, by recreating him with play dough, using the descriptor images from the book to support their memory recall of the story. They have been making potions inside and outside too, coming up with rhyming spells like in the ‘Room on the Broom’ story.

Ms Ollie Lauder

ELC Teacher

Happenings in Wattle

We transformed the Wattle Room corner into a mini-salon, complete with two wigs, a variety of hair products, combs, mirror and other accessories. This immersive environment stimulated the children's imagination, inviting them to step into the shoes of hairdressers and create their unique salon experiences.

Role-playing in a salon setting provided the perfect opportunity for the children to interact with their peers, fostering important social skills such as communication, cooperation, and empathy. As the children took turns being hairdressers and customers, they learned to negotiate, and respect one another's choices and preferences. These interactions promoted a sense of community and built a foundation for positive relationships among peers. Engaging in salon play provided an excellent opportunity for the children to enhance their fine motor skills. As  they grasped combs, carefully styled hair, and applied pretend hair products, their hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity skills were promoted. These actions required focus, precision, and control, nurturing their ability to perform delicate tasks later in life, such as writing and drawing. 

The salon play experience offered the children an exciting platform to explore their creativity, enhance social skills, and develop fine motor abilities. Engaging in imaginative play encouraged them to express themselves, make decisions, and build connections with their peers. As they played with the resources in the salon, the children relished in the joy of learning through play. 

Manasi Kewlani

ELC Team Leader