Kinder

The kinders had quite a busy month. On the 8th of October we had our first visit to a foundation classroom at John Henry Primary school. All the children were quite excited about their visit. This excursion gave the children an opportunity to understand road safety. In the classroom children listened to two stories, 'Pig the Pug' and 'Pig the Elf'. Every child was excited to share with the foundation teacher the name of the school they were going to as well. This experience supported children's confidence as well as broadened their understanding of the world in which they live in. On the 6th of November will be our next visit. We just can't wait!

World Space Week was from the 7th to the 11th of October. During this week the kinders explored the concept of 'Space'. Once child described it as, 'Far far away....you can't get there. You have to go in a space ship.' Another child said, 'Aliens live in space.' We also looked at the different planets. Some of the children showed awareness that we all live on planet earth. A few of the children demonstrated sense of curiosity asked what else live on planet earth. This led to a discussion on the different things we see around us. Later we played an game where each child walked around the room, picked up something that they thought live on planet earth. Most of the children brought birds and animals to the mat. We also read books about outer space. The activity that the children enjoyed the most was story bot songs on the different planets and the solar system. In the next month children will be offered a play space on outer space to further support their interest as well as their imagination and language skills.

On Friday the 25th of October we celebrated the Indian festival of lights called Diwali. Some of the experiences that children engaged in were having henna tattoos done on their hand, doing rangoli with coloured sand, making rotis and dancing to Punjabi music. These experiences supported a wide range of skills. The rangoli experience supported children's creativity skills. Children explored Maths and Science concepts when making rotis. Dancing to Punjabi music allowed children to explore a new language as well as a different kind of music.

Between the 18th and the 27th of October we celebrated Children's Week. The theme for this year was 'Healthy, Safe and Happy.' Children were offered a variety of experiences that allowed them to make sense of these words. They were encouraged to eat healthy foods. At meal times discussion were had about healthy foods and why we need to eat them. We also talked about sometimes foods and that it is okay to have a piece of chocolate or a scoop of ice - cream after our lunch or dinner. We played a game called, 'Finding How you Feel', matching emotions and had discussions on how we feel and why we might feel that way. The children also engaged in a range of physical activities such as 'Jumping Sacks' and 'The Limbo Dace'. On the 23rd of October we had 'A circus' incursion. This experience allowed the children to participate in lots of new coordination and balancing experiences. Most of the children were quite excited to use new equipment and explore new balancing moves with their hands and head. The 24th of October was quite a fun day. The children got to visit 'Old Cheese Factory'. This was quite an exciting day for the children. Every child enjoyed the bus ride, could hardly wait to get to the old cheese factory. At the old cheese factory children participated in a variety of experiences such as petting farm animals, playing music instruments, exploring the playground, doing music and movement, creating with recycle material, playing footy, planting a plant that they got to take home. A few of the children were quite curious, asked why we did not take to see the cheese being made!

Halloween 31st Oct: Children came dressed up as different characters. Most of them were eager to show their educators and friends their costumes. A few of the girls came dressed as witches. This presented the opportunity for them to engage in dramatic play. They were noticed using their wands to turn their peers in frogs and other funny creatures. A few of the children pretended to be the witch in the story that we read at kinder, 'Room on the Broom'.

Thank you Charistina and Ranmal