Johnson House
Story by Educator Shireen
The children in Johnson House have been curiously engaged in learning experiences about space and planets. To extend their interest and foster the development of their knowledge, Educators have set up a dedicated leaning area and have also been reading books with the children about the solar system. One of the children shared their interest and knowledge by bringing in a Planetary Orbiter from home, explaining how it works and showing how a lunar eclipse happens. The children have been keen to draw and paint images of the solar system and to add to these to the learning space.
Through this experience the children have shown curiosity, and have concentrated well as they have developed their interest. They also began to incorporate their learning into different elements of their play, helping to gain a further understanding of the world around them.
Rigby House
Sorting and Categorising
Story by Centre Director Isa
Many children at Rigby House are displaying an interest in sea animals. To support this interest, Educators provided a lovely imaginary play experience representing the ocean and beach.
As the children played, the Educators supported the children to sort the animals into those that are found in the water, those found on the sand, and those found both on the sand and in water, as well as in other places.
Learning to sort objects and categorise them is an important mathematical skill to develop. Through our Educators’ intentional teaching, the children have been learning about these concepts as they play.
Family Day Care Sydney Wide
Story by Educator Support Officer Catherine
One of our Family Day Care Educators, Rosetta, has been incorporating yoga into her program for the children, as well as “mindfulness” techniques. Over the last six to eight months Rosetta has been slowly building up the yoga component during group times with the children, and using breathing techniques to help them to slow down, focus, and return to the present moment, especially during those times of the day when they are feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.
Rosetta has found that the children’s focus and concentration has improved greatly, not just with the yoga, but in other areas as well.
