Junior Toddler and Toddler

We had Pyjama day last week, one of our favourite days in the year. we all came dressed in our cosy and warm pyjama. in the morning we were watching a small video " the rainbow fish" with popcorn. 

Our Toddler's have been introduced in learning about our country and traditional owners of our land. Every morning the children and educators join in Acknowledgement of Country, from owners of Bunorong and Wurenjeri. 

 'Here is the land, here is the sky. Here are my friends, and here am I. We thank the people for the land on which we learn and play. Hands up, hands down. We are on the Bunurong Land.'

We began the journey by introducing the children to the Aboriginal Flag. We all sat comfortably during group time and discussed what colours were present in the flag.  

The children called out, "yellow for the sun." We explained what each colour represented. Yellow represents the Sun, the giver of life and protector, Black represents the Aboriginal people of Australia and Red represents the red earth, the red ochre used in ceremonies and Aboriginal peoples' spiritual relation to the land. The children were keen to work together to make the flag, naming all the colours and emphasising what each colour represented.

Australian Aboriginal people used symbols for direction and location, sacred sites, animals and illustrating Dream time stories. We have introduced these symbols to the children through a variety of activities. We have replicated a campsite with families gathered around the fire, sharing stories and songs. Nearby we have taped symbols on the carpet, offering the children a chance to place stones, extending their understanding with the Aboriginal culture. 

We have designed a sand drawing experience, offering the opportunity for children to draw symbols, creating their own stories. The sand creates a therapeutic sensation, helping the children to feel relaxed to express their emotions through sand drawing.

We extending the children experience and made bush damper on Tuesday. We all gathered around the campfire simulating the ritual of baking damper in the bush. We dug a hole in the ground and gathered sticks to build a fire. We wrapped the bush damper with leaves and placed it in the bush oven. 

The children were eager to have a go and make their own bush damper.  we gathered around the table as a group. We asked our children what ingredients they can see on our table.  we used, ' self raising flour, lactose free milk, salt and margarine. The children watched as the educator stirred all the ingredients together.  The children were eager to try the dough but we explained the bush damper needs to be cooked first before we can enjoy it.

For afternoon tea, we served up the bush damper with some margarine, the children enjoyed their fresh bush bread and kept asking for more. 

Dear Parents, please click the below video which shows Olga explaining the activity.

We would appreciate if all parents could label their children's clothes and belongings. This will help us returning your children's belonging and clothes. 

As we are heading into the colder season of winter and we like to continue our outdoor program, we would suggest to bring in gumboots in your children's bag. 

Thank you from the  Junior Toddlers and Toddler's

Nuria, Olga. Inoka and Dee