A Group - Reflection 3

Week 3

We continued to learn about sea creatures – the children have remembered what we learnt last week and continue to refer to our Posters  and Reference Books to find out more information. We have also added new items to our Beachcombing table – sea urchins, coral pieces, sea stars, feathers, sponges.

We continued with activities which included water experiences  - we washed our dolls with soapy water and dried them carefully. We set up a “Car Wash” with our trucks and some brushes and buckets of water. We froze some small plastic fish in ice and had to wait for the ice to melt so the fish would come out. We needed to be very patient as the ice took a long time to melt, and the fish came out one at a time as they were frozen in layers. This was actually a Science experiment as well – How do we make ice ? What does it turn into when it melts ? How long will the ice take to melt ? We discussed how if we rubbed the ice with our hands the warmth of our hands would help the ice to melt.. One of the children suggested we put the tray into a sunnier spot, then the ice would melt faster – we did and the children quickly noticed this happening. The children tried to estimate in which order the fish would come out, and examined the different shapes left behind in the ice from where the fish had been. Much discussion took place during this activity with the children working together to try and melt the ice, needing to be patient, and learning social skills of working as a team.

Many of the boys love to run – so we have  been having baton relays around the path , with the children organising turns between themselves – more social skills. Some of the children even practiced skipping around the path – very energetic – developing gross motor skills.

Some children really want to be part of a group doing things together, others look for a quieter spot to play by themselves, Kindergarten is a busy place, or  maybe playing with one other child – learning to make friends at their own pace. It is important for us to provide for each child’s individual needs, each child is different and will develop at their own pace in their own time.
What will happen next week ?

Group A Educators – Margot, Ann and Lisa.