Our Program
A Learning Journal records the children’s learning and development and it follows individual and groups of children’s interests and learning development. It is a way to document the story of the children’s learning and develop the curriculum according to the children’s wonderings and interests. It will include observations of children’s learning, with a teacher’s reflection and projection and planning or what next? ie. where to from here? or how to extend the children’s learning? It may also include provision: what materials we will use or adult involvement needed. It will be displayed near the sign in book everyday, please take an opportunity to see what we are learning.
From Learning Jounal to Portfolio. The individual Portfolios also include learning stories with photos, observations, reflections and projection and planning. An observation of a group of children experimenting with new materials will be copied into each child’s individual portfolio from that group learning experience.
Using the Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. The Learning Journal and the Portfolios will show links to these frameworks and their outcomes. The outcomes are displayed in the foyer.
The children will be encouraged to discover, gain knowledge and solve problems using that knowledge and demonstrate their understanding. To begin with here are some opportunities for learning in different areas throughout the pre-school indoors and outdoors that we will make available for the children.
Literacy A range of books are always available and opportunities to discover books individually, in groups and with adults. Grou
p experiences including rhyming, identifying name cards and sound games.
Numeracy Children learn maths in many ways, including with their hands. Puzzles that range in interest and difficulty. Create and play with blocks, trains, games and constructions sets to develop understandings of size, order, position, volume, mass, number, counting, symbols in play and pattern.
Science Opportunity to experiment and hypothesise what might happen if? Or I wonder why? Many hands on experiences to see what happens.
Information and Communication Technologies Opportunity to try different programs in the IBM kidsmart software and to use the pre-school digital camera. Children of this generation are digital natives, we are often learning about technology with and from them. We will incorporate this into their imaginative play with props such as phones or a cash register. Listening post with stories on CD’s.
Physical Skills Opportunity to practise and refine body coordination in our ever changing obstacle course. Participation in the Kindergarten Physical Education Program with small groups of children. Opportunity to practise and refine hand coordination to use implements such as; scissors: textas; pastels; threading; paint brushes and playdough.
Imaginative Play Dramatic play helps children to take on the roles of others and interact successfully. We will offer a range of props to develop this play and introduce the children to new ideas. It will incorporate numeracy and literacy with play symbols for shop keepers or a restaurant.
Sharing is about division and counting
Creativity Many different experiences will be provided to extend the children’s abilities with open ended creative opportunities. Chance to explore a range of artistic mediums and how we can use them. Opportunities to problem solve and express their ideas. We encourage the children to draw using a range of pencils, oil pastels, texta pens and paints.
Communication and social skills Many varied opportunities to practise and develop ways to share ideas and interact successfully with peers and adults. Experiences to develop trust, confidence and independence.
Emotional Development Opportunities to identify and develop how to use our emotions successfully. Children will practise controlling their emotions. Adults will support children in learning how to deal with a variety of situations that arise through participation in small and large group play experiences.
