We planted some grape hyacinth bulbs today. Some of the children have seen or helped their parents to plant similar bulbs at home. Gardening is great because it is so practical and hands-on – it’s an activity that is full of decisions that children have to make (how full to make the potting mix, does my bulb look as if it’s pointing up, is it covered up well enough, how much water should I give it?) actions that they have to do, and then a lot of follow-up over coming weeks. We heard about how some of their plants at home have died, and some of their trees  too – and how some trees have got green leaves again since we have been able to water them. This was a good chance (one of those perfect teachable moments) to tell the children why we actually need to look after our trees and plants and not break branches off – because the leaves make the air that we breathe. What happens if there’s no air? The children knew that meant that we would die too.

The clipboards that we have scattered around the kinder are being used more often by the children in their games, both inside and out. Aden, Ned and Sebastian all did police writing inside. Aden: “I’m the boss of the police”. There is a strong preference for green textas (maybe a connection with John Deere? I’ll have to ask the boys.) The boys didn’t feel the need to have any adult writing on their page – the “police writing” said it all, or showed it, in a mixture of writing and mapping/drawing. How to help them build on the knowledge and drive that they already have in this area? Emergency services/ road safety and police/ the trikes and other props….a good chance to explore challenges to gender stereotypes also – a pity Christine Nixon isn’t the Chief Commissioner anymore!