What has Term 2 in Kindy looked like?
We have had so many enriching learning moments both big and small, all have contributed to what I believe to be a really impactful term for the children. We slowed things down a little, just enough to give the children space to ‘be’ and develop their agency further.
From the National Quality Standard Newsletter – an informative read about promoting independence and agency in our children. Whilst aimed towards educators, the information can be very useful for parents too.
Welcome
A very big welcome to Louis, Millie, Taiani and Nathan this term. They have taken the big transition to upstairs in their stride and made the new space their own. It has been a delight to have them join us and we hope they feel a strong sense of belonging in the Kindy space.
Beyond JK – Nature Play Park, Centenary Lakes – 20th May 2019
Do you remember your favourite childhood place in nature? Where was it? How did you find it? How did you feel when you were there?
Over the past 30 years, we have moved indoors and screen spaces have replaced green places. Use of television, computers, the internet and smartphones, increased parental fear, poor urban planning and more highly structured play and supervision keep kids from playing outside.
At Just Kids we include nature play in our every day. Our excursion was to celebrate nature play and embark on a new adventure. The children thrived in this environment and challenged themselves on every obstacle they encountered. We challenged our bodies and conquered new skills by taking reasonable risks. Taking physical challenges builds stronger pathways to more competent brain development, wow!
Life Education visit – 30th April – ‘Harold’s thankful heart’
We received a special visit from Zavier (pre preps) mummy, Megan, from Life Education.
We went on a journey with Harold (the giraffe) as he showed us through every day experiences, the concepts of gratitude, kindness and thankfulness. When we displayed these qualities throughout the morning we received a heart token that went into Harold’s ‘thankful bucket’.
Morning with our Mums and sustainable gardening – 13th May
We wanted to gift our mums with something that incorporated what we were exploring this term, which was sustainability and all things nature. We intertwined these two concepts by potting a lovely little plant into a biodegradable ‘Jiffy’ pot. We hope our mummy’s loved them!
Alpacas with Maracas’ – National Simultaneous Story time 22nd May
On Wednesday, it was National Simultaneous Storytime, when kids around the nation read the same book at the same time, to promote the sheer joy of reading.
At Just Kids the Kindy class combined with Pre prep to read this special little story. The children enjoyed it so much they asked for another, so we read ‘Macca the Alpaca’, the first book in this beautiful series.
Picture Book focus – ‘Have you filled a bucket today?’
We have been reading this beautiful story and focusing on getting the message to our children, by using the terminology in this book on a daily basis they have grasped the concept and are using the terminology themselves!
While using a simple metaphor of a bucket filler and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do. When you’re a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!
#beabucketfiller #bekind
A short clip below with an animated audio of the book:
Kindy’s vegie patch
Miss Rani has lead the children this term with the planting of all our beautiful herbs and vegies. We planted strawberries, cucumber, capsicum, tomatoes and some magical sunflower seeds. Upstairs you may have noticed some mint and chives that now adorn our shelves. The children have been lovingly watering the garden with our spray bottles each day and were delighted to see that our very first tomato has sprouted!
Term 3 events
- Cairns Show Public holiday – JK closed, Friday 19th July
- Possum Magic – CPAC, Tuesday 23rd July
- Book Week 19th – 23rd Theme – ‘Reading is my secret power’
- Dress up day – Friday 23rd August
- Morning with our dads for Fathers Day – Monday 2nd September
- Miss Brooke’s last day in Kindy – Friday 20th September
- Last day Term 3 – Friday 20th September
Term 3 Learning focus
Term 3 will have a focus on all things literacy!
Reminders
There will be no swimming in Term 3 but soccer will continue with the Jamie Gosling academy.
Sleep, that precious little thing that not all children have received the memo on!
