music with the year 7s

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Louise under Creativity & Imagination, Early Learning, learning about our community, Learning through play, movement & physical learning, music & movement, Transitions

We had a visit from the Year 7s, it was really exciting to have them come down and visit us, it was a good contribution to our transition program, building the Kinder children’s connections with the “big kids”. Before they came, we had the use of one of their xylophones – it was interesting to see how respectful and careful the children were of this instrument – perhaps because it is a tuned instrument, and you can really make beautiful music? Cuddles, our visitor from Manangatang kinder, thought so.

And we all had a lesson on the ukelele, we learnt how to play “c”.

A new year at kinder

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Louise under Transitions

We have started our new year with a smaller group, very sociable and active. More girls than boys, but all very tuned into role and pretend play, in different forms. The children are interacting easily with each other and are very switched on.

We notice that in this time of transition and settling in to the full kinder routine, that the children are intent on processing everything, and enjoying their favourite areas as well as getting to know the new possibilities available to them. They are busy!

While the home corner was busy, this is what was happening down on the floor in the corner of the photo….

Oscar was looking after his baby, named Cooper (big brother’s name). He spent a long time tucking him into bed, arranging his blankets, taking him out and putting him back. Beautiful, caring play.

Outside Harry and Maya set up the tea table under the tree’s shade, then Mia came along and then Seanna. There was a wonderful bit of role distribution: “Can I play?” “Well I’m the mother and Harry’s the father and Mia’s the big sister – you can be the other big sister.” and that was okay.

So much else happened – too much to tell in one go!

Goodbye 2010!

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Louise under Transitions

What a busy year with so much focus, learning and fun all wrapped up together…

The children have been busy…messy…thoughtful…intense…helpful… friendly….sometimes sad … sometimes joyful…sometimes excited! But we can be silly too…..

Thankyou to everyone who has visited the blog and commented on it or said something to us about it….

We are all taking a good break for a little while over the Christmas season.

We hope that your special time with family and friends is peaceful and joyful, whatever your special beliefs may be.

We remember the children who have been a part of our kinder this year but have moved elsewhere since then – Brad and Remy and Bella – and we wish all children (and their families!) going onto school all the very best as they head off into their future…

Have a wonderful 2011

The Preps visit us….

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Louise under Transitions

Kinders and Preps togetherOn Thursday the Preps came up for a visit. They noticed that some things were different from last year, especially the new trike path - which they had been involved with planning last year. They were very keen to have a go on the trikes around the new path. But first they did a play for us of Hattie and the Fox.Acting out the story.

Then it was off outside for a play and a turn on the trikes.

Having a go on the trike path.

It was a happy visit with lots of information about the school and how much fun it is – thankyou for coming to visit us, Preps!

Visiting the school

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Louise under Transitions

arriving at the school

We went down to the Primary campus this week to watch a performance of the Bremen Town Musicians. It was a great way to start our transition program for the year. We found out about the bubblers and the different toilets…

We had to go into the Multi-Purpose Room.

Mike and Muriel were the actors and we all did some moving together.

We thought the Bremen Town Musicians were very funny!

Most of the kinder children with the actors.

This was a great way to start off our transition program – the performance was excellent, the children were relaxed and very proud to be a part of the whole school audience.

The 2010 kinder kids are coming, ready or not…

Posted on February 5, 2010 by Louise under Transitions

Kinder’s back! Our first week was very busy – and not everyone was here! Short meetings with parents and children last week, a working bee for parents, a set-up day for staff and now with 2 sessions down, we are into the year.

Many of the children were enrolled in pre-kinders in Term 4 last year – their familiarity with the place and the people has helped them start to feel like a group who fit together, and who understand the basic routines and expectations of this new environment. The children have their own expectations about kinder too, of course – several have asked when the kinder chooks are coming back!

The home corner is so important for developing play and relationships.

The children who haven’t been here before are benefiting from this calm atmosphere – and we are all getting to know each other through small and large group activities as well as closer personal support from staff for beginning friendships.

ONE SNAPSHOT OF LEARNING…

Thomas is proud, and Aiden is enjoying the moment too.

Thomas was trying to build a tower – it kept falling over. I asked him if he could show me how he was building it – so he started off again, a bit more slowly this time, and 1-2-3-4 cylinders balanced. Aiden was watching – he saved the tower with some quick reflexes when number 5 started to make it sway, and Thomas shifted the top one just a little bit and then added another – which balanced! Then another…and then he had a home for an echidna. Thomas and Aiden added a triangle piece then went back to the idea of putting the echidna up there – other children were interested in the idea of creating homes for different animals by now and the boys moved onto other ideas – working together now instead of separately.

So, where was the learning? there was maths and language (counting the blocks, naming the cylinders and triangles, recognising the unique properties of each, spatial knowledge, measuring the height – not as tall as the boys but nearly, words like “sway” and “balance”) fine-motor control, respect for our environment (not focussing on the bash and crash of destroying a tower, but rather interest in using the materials for a constructive purpose), developing enjoyment and confidence in new friendships and shared interests, a growing sense of agency (an ability to make choices, have ideas, construct or create and make a difference in one’s environment).

Tales from the Sandpit

Language, Literacy and Learning at Kindergarten

Category Archives: Transitions