Johnson House
Story by Educator Sabreena
Recently the children in Johnson House have been exploring the book The Colour Monster. This book helps children to discuss a range of emotions, and provides a nice opportunity to promote such discussions. The children have been actively engaged in drawing their own versions of the colour monster, and have also been working on communal drawings to represent each emotion and colour. Engaging in communal drawing has allowed the children to build on their relationships, as well as learn different ways they can communicate their emotions to one another. This has also allowed some of the older children to model their drawing techniques to younger peers. Being able to recognise and label their emotions allows the children to build an understanding of their emotions; they have been learning strategies to regulate their emotions through experiences implemented within the program such as mindfulness and meditation, which are practised daily.
Robinson House
Story by Centre Director Faye-Maree
The children in Robinson House have been very busy over the last week enjoying lots of dramatic play. They have been running a café in the mud kitchen, cooking up a storm and taking on lots of various roles. The tent that they have been building in the yard has also been a highlight. They have had lots of fun exploring sensory and fine motor skills through the various experiences provided.
Family Day Care Sydney Wide
Story by Educator Support Officer Alix
Even though Chinese New Year is well and truly over, the children at Cockatoo Family Day Care have continued to explore their developing ideas and interests about this celebration by revisiting experiences of meaning. The group collectively made their own giant-sized dragon puppet and have been reenacting their very own dragon dance, while also using percussion instruments to accompany the dance.
Educator Alison says that their service’s educational philosophy places great value on embedding children’s cultures into the daily program and proudly acknowledges that the direction of learning is child-led. This has allowed for the meaningful continuation of learning to evolve over many different learning areas. A Chinese-inspired restaurant has stayed in ‘operation’, as the children explore other ways of ‘being’ through dramatic play, and an exploration of literacy and art has provided an ongoing outlet to explore Chinese Symbols and early writing skills.
Gong hei fat choy!
