Easter! Easter!Easter!

Easter is one more opportunity for exploring and  learning.

TAFE inclusion and diversity playsession

We went to Inclusion and diversity play session at Loftus TAFE today hosted by Mary Jacobs. Mary set up the playspace to a number of resources and activities to promote inclusion with an Aboriginal perspective in a respectful, genuine way. The children explored the space inside and outside. Our group was interested in two of them: digging in sand using tapping sticks (traditional tool of Aboriginal people) and VET dramatic play. Mary taught us how to hold sticks and dig with them and children found lots of Australian animals showing delight. I played with children in dramatic corner helping “sick” possum. They learned to use natural materials as medical tools such as banksia pods as a needle or thermometer, long grass used as a band aide which Isla tore perfectly. She also learned to tie knots with that grass. Children learned new words and practiced appropriate communication in play situation. We spent 15 minutes playing together and “helping” some more animals of children’s choice.

We joined Mary in a circle for “dreaming” time when she engaged everyone in story telling, music and movements. Children explored Aboriginal songs and music playing on tapping sticks. Mary sang familiar childrens rhymes but using Aboriginal names for animals and objects.

It was an amazing session of learning about authentic Indigenous practices. It was educative not only for children, but for educators too.

Реклама

Fresh Food Kids Tour — или по ту сторону прилавка

Мы посетили магазин и узнали много интересного. Экскурсовод начала со знакомства с отделом «овощи-фрукты», где рассказала ребятам о некоторых овощах и фруктах. Мы вспоминали, где растет данный продукт, в каких блюдах мы его используем, какой он на вкус и запах. Затем ребята познакомились с хлебным отделом, где нюхали хлеб и узнали, какой он бывает; с колбасным отделом, обсуждая любимые колбасы, оливки и сыры.

Самое интересное было оказаться по ту сторону прилавка! Ребята побывали в огромном холодильнике, где искали  свое любимое молоко. В морозилку мы смогли протянуть только руки, так там было холодно. Мы рассматривали контейнеры с коробками и угадывали, какие товары в них хранятся. В заключении ребят угостили клубникой, арбузом и морковкой.

Думаю, следующей раз мы поедем в магазин за покупками, чтобы узнать больше о том, как взвесить товар, упаковать и пробить на кассе.

Физиотерапевт? А кто это?

Riain’s mum Erin came to FDC again to talk to children about her profession – physio therapy. We all are saying big thank you to Erin for such interesting and educational group time.

Harmony Day with FDC Kalinka

Harmony Day is today. We celebrated this event with FDC Kalinka introducing idea of multiculturalism. I told a story about aboriginal boy Khode which invited children from different parts of the world to Australia. We talked about South and North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia pointing them out on map and globe. Children compared pictures of people from around the world, their skin, clothes, hair and eyes.

Then we introduced Irish, Italian, Brazilian, Macedonian and Russian dances to children . They watched videos attentively and then we tried to do some simple movements from each folk dance. We discussed costumes and music. For Russian dancing Kalinka children wore shawls (girls) and hats (boys).

At the end we were drawing to the music. Children listened to song “Kalinka” doing painting. We talked about different tempo in music and associated it with long and short movements of brush.

Мы строили, строили и, наконец, построили…

Build, Create, Play: The Benefits of Playing with Building Toys

Материал с сайта: http://mommyuniversitynj.com/2014/07/16/build-create-play-the-benefits-of-playing-with-building-toys/

We all know that playing with building toys is beneficial for kids but did anyone ever tell you why? 

Building toys have significant cognitive and academic benefits for children of all ages. Not only are they fun and exciting, but they help kids develop a wide variety of skills and abilities. They help prepare kids for school, sports and life! I guess you can say that these toys are the “building blocks” for success!

Did you know that playing with toys such as Legos, blocks and K’Nexhelps kids develop now AND in the future?

There are both short and long term positive effects of playing with construction toys. For instance, kids can learn basic colors and shapes which are rote and immediate, while also learning visual-spatial awareness which will help develop future reading and writing skills. Kids will also learn to cooperate with others as well as problem solve.  Both skills are needed in childhood and as an adult.

Mommy University Presents

Benefits of playing with Building/Construction toys

Improves Fine Motor Manipulation and Strength

While playing with building toys, kids have to learn how to move and manipulate various shaped objects, big and small, as well as have the fine motor control to “click” them into place. This helps build motor strength as well as visual skills and motor planning.

Enhances Spatial Awareness

Building toys help kids enhance their visual-spatial skills which is crucial for reading readiness. As kids build, they have to understand spatial organization in order to create a structure that does not topple over.

Encourages Thinking and Reasoning

Every time a child builds and creates a structure or even an entire world, kids have to use reasoning and critical thinking skills. They also have to problem solve when something does not work the way they hoped it would. These skills are what make children become well-rounded, independent and successful adults!

Involves Focus and Patience

Children need to work slowly and carefully to be successful at creating their designs. This helps build their ability to focus and maintain attention for longer periods of time. It also teaches the important skill of patience.

Sparks the Imagination!

Building toys allow children to create their own fantasy worlds and stories. Using the imagination boosts cognitive, academic, language and social growth. As they create structures, they also create stories which leads to greater verbal skills including their ability to tell stories.

Builds Confidence

Once that masterpiece is finished, children are so proud of their accomplishments. It increases their belief in themselves which, in turn, boosts their self-confidence.

Helps Develop Problem Solving Skills

When building, kids need to decide what will or won’t work. They have to think quickly and readjust designs when needed. This helps build important problem solving skills which are needed in school and in life.

Encourages Children to Use Their Minds Instead of Relying on Technology

Kids today rely too much on technology so it is always beneficial to play with toys that focus on hands-on, interactive fun that requires thinking skills!

Can Lead into Pretend and Imaginary Play

Once the castle, fort, city or whatever your child creates is complete, then the story telling and pretend play begins! This is great for social and language development.

Introduction to Science

Through building, kids learn to experiment and make new discoveries about how things work. They are also introduced to worlds of architecture and design which brings them into the STEM world.

Helps Develop Math Skills

Introductory math concepts are introduced such as counting, adding, subtracting and basic geometry as kids play with building toys. Not only can children build shapes and numbers with the toys, but they can also count out the pieces and use mathematical calculations to build the perfect design.

Encourages Cooperative Play

Often times kids play with their peers when building so it helps foster teamwork and cooperation. Kids learn to work together and take each other’s advice. Turn taking is also a skill gained when building together.

Are your kids not ready to build?

Some kids are either too little or just not interested in building. That’s okay because building/construction toys can be used in other ways to enhance learning. Here are some ideas:

• Label the colors and shapes of the building materials
• Sort by shape, color and size
• Count the blocks/pieces
• Use the blocks or Lego pieces as manipulatives for math word problems. For example, you have 10 Legos and take 3 away, how many do you have left?

I hope these benefits have encouraged you to head out and buy some building/construction toys. If a limited budget is a problem, then use household items such as:

• Cups
• Various sizes of bowls
• Cardboard boxes (including shoeboxes)
• Cans (including empty peanut butter jars and coffee cans)
• DVD cases
• Books

more about constructions

more about constructions with children

7 benefits of constructive play

Белая берёза под моим окном…

А дополнили летние картины мы, конечно, русской берёзкой: нежной, хрупкой, прозрачной!

Чуть солнце пригрело откосы
И стало в лесу потеплей,
Береза зеленые косы
Развесила с тонких ветвей.

Вся в белое платье одета,
В серёжках, в листве кружевной,
Встречает горячее лето
Она на опушке лесной.

Всеволод Рождественнский

Лето, ах, лето!

We were drawing summer today.
Children watched pictures of season and discussed colours of summer, features and shared their experiences. I read a book of summer poems and we talked about pictures for each poem. Children discussed which feeling they have when looking at each picture, how artist drew what he read in poem, how we can see wind or rain on pictures.
Then girls created their summer pictures with watercolours. As a result we had three different pictures of nature for our exhibition.

 

Кукольный Театр в Карапузе

Наши Карапузы побывали на настоящем кукольном спектакле благодаря Светлане Хабаровой! Дети с большим удовольствием наблюдали за действием, хотя сказка была знакома с детства. Необычные куклы, танцы героев под музыку вызывали восторг ребят, которые хохотали и вскакивали с мест, пускаясь в пляс.

А самое интересное ждало ребят после спектакля — возможность оказаться по ту сторону ширмы! Каждый попробовал оживить наиболее понравившуюся куклу, узнать все секреты «живых» кукол.

Да и я сама с огромным удовольствием помогала Свете, сожалея только о том, что не вижу довольные лица своих ребят. Спасибо огромное Свете за прекрасную сказку, а ее маме Любови за уникальные куклы, которые она сделала своими руками. Очень надеемся, что это не последний спектакль.

Знайки и Глаголы

На этой неделе мы изменяли глаголы прошедшего времени по родам.

Ребята-Знайки с такой легкостью поняли суть, что у доски стояла очередь желающих! 🙂 А проверочные слова для слов с непроизносимыми согласными дети просто выкрикивали, стараясь опередить остальных. По-моему, я на уроке была лишней! 🙂