It is nearly the end of Prep 2021! We are so proud of learning and growth the Achilles students have achieved. Here are some activities to practice during the school holidays.

Reading

This year the Prep students have learnt all of the letter sounds (A-Z) and some digraphs. To help your child retain these over the holidays please use the links below.

Practice letter sounds for letters A-Z

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELlZKpi1Zs

Little learners YouTube Channel - blending words with digraphs

https://www.youtube.com/c/LittleLearnersVideos/videos

Miscellaneous reading games

https://www.abcya.com/grades/k/letters

Maths

This year the prep students have learnt to count to and from 20 and beyond. We have learnt practical strategies for adding and subtracting single digit numbers. Here are some quick activities to help you retain these skills during the holidays.

Counting to and from 20

https://www.abcya.com/games/interactive_100_number_chart

Sesame Street: Abby and Cookie Monster Subtract (Eat) Cookies

Move and Add, Add and Move | Jack Hartmann Addition Song

Miscellaneous maths games

https://www.abcya.com/grades/k/numbers

School Holiday Community Activities

NGV Ian Potter Centre

The National Gallery of Victoria is a place for everyone and warmly welcomes children, teenagers and families. NGV Kids exhibitions and programs reflect the Gallery’s commitment to providing creative experiences for young people and their families. Find out about their school holiday exhibits here.

Edendale Farm in Eltham

Edendale demonstrates farm production to the community with animals such as sheep, dairy goats and chickens, as well as vegetable gardens and orchards of heritage fruit trees. You can participate in self-guided walks around the farm, children’s clipboard activities, explore the native plant nursery, plus you can bring a picnic. Click here

Pauline Gandel Children’s Gallery

The Children’s Gallery is a wondrous place for babies to 5-year-olds to explore, play and learn. During school holidays, budding paleontologists excavate fossils in the dinosaur dig; aspiring botanists traverse the discovery garden, exploring plants and stories; young curators gaze at the specially selected museum objects, and for everyone who loves to dance, there is a ‘camouflage disco’ where children will turn into spotty and stripy disco dancing animals.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Take LEGO-lovers to Australia’s first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. Billed as the “ultimate indoor LEGO playground”, it’s a great day of fun with 2 rides, 5 LEGO build and play zones plus a 4D cinema. If your kids love LEGO then this is an absolute must for things to do in Melbourne with kids. Click here

Melbourne Zoo

Get up close to Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, wombats and emus at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, AKA Melbourne Zoo. The zoo is also home to tigers, monkeys, lemurs, Little Penguins and Australian Fur seals. The zoo often tops lists of kids attractions in Melbourne with its excellent facilities and well cared for animals.

*And remember kids under 16 receive FREE general admission to Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary on weekends, Victorian government public and school holidays. Click here

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

SEA LIFE Melbourne takes you on an interactive ocean adventure filled with amazing discovery around every corner. Discover your inner adventurer as you dive through the depths of the ocean, before waddling your way to the icy cool waters of Antarctica, home to the regal King and cheeky Gentoo penguins. Click here for more information.

Science Works

Scienceworks is bursting with things to challenge curious minds of all ages. In just one visit, you can stroll among the gigantic machines that kept the city running, enjoy electrifying theatre in the Lightning Room, let your little ones roam safely in enclosed spaces, wander through our immersive exhibitions and drop into deep space in the Melbourne Planetarium. We love this place, so if you haven’t been… you should make the effort to get there these school holidays. Click here

Animal Land Children’s Farm

Animal Land has been specifically set up to give children a tangible, practical farming experience. Unlike other animal attractions and zoos where visitors simply observe the animals from a distance, our visitors get to hold, pat, feed, ride and immerse themselves in farm life first-hand. Click here

Artplay

Artplay is a civic space where children and families can get creative and express themselves with a vibrant programme of arty workshops. They have more than 300 workshops, events and performances every year. The artists, workshop content and participants reflect Melbourne’s diversity. Bookings are required for most workshops, however there are also free drop-in events available. Click here

O’Brien Icehouse Airborn Roxburgh Park

O’Brien Icehouse is Australia’s largest ice arena. Nestled in Melbourne’s Docklands, amongst the city’s other greatest sporting and cultural icons, it is a strong symbol of sportsmanship and excellence. O’Brien Icehouse is a world-class facility, attracting some of the greatest sports people from around Australia to train and compete in the Olympic-standard arena. Click here

Storytime at your local library

https://www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au/Whats-On/Story-Times

From sessions for babies and toddlers, to storytimes for preschoolers, school holiday programs, homework and after school clubs, there’s plenty for children of all ages at Melbourne Library Service.

Craigieburn Library Story Time

Tuesday 11.15 -12.00pm

Friday 11.15 -12.00pm

Craigieburn Bilingual Story Time

Sinhala Monday 10.15 - 11.00am

Summer holiday program