With all the welcome rain, at Playgroup this term, we have been trying to grow Salvias from cuttings - potting up some Cats' Whiskers which have developed a strong, healthy root system; placing the cuttings ever so carefully in little pots and tucking them skillfully into their cozy beds. We are growing some purple Salvias in mind of attracting some native bees, like the beautiful Teddy Bear Bee and Blue Banded Bee (pictured above). We are hoping to create some bee hotels which I am sure will bring many new stories to our Playgroup.
This term, we have had a few indoor days, leading to some interesting and creative play. The children enjoyed setting up the train track and discussing what needed to be built next in order for the train to roll on. At one stage, I think just about every toy had been taken off the shelves and used to create a new imaginative story.
Packing up our play and putting all the toys back in their rightful places often takes more time and encouragement! Our packing away song ‘The Little Dusty Gnome’ is very helpful as the children already know what is coming. With the adults modelling the careful return of all our toys to their homes, the children learn through imitation how to help put our Playgroup back in order. Shells, seeds and rocks all have their own special places. Sorting these items into the appropriate baskets is an early step towards mathematics.
During one wet outdoor play, some of the children were fascinated to find that catching raindrops in different sized pots made different sounds. What a wonderful wet-weather discovery! Steeped in wonder, these precious early years of learning will carry these children through their lives.
Carina Halliday
Playgroup Coordinator
This term, we have had a few indoor days, leading to some interesting and creative play. The children enjoyed setting up the train track and discussing what needed to be built next in order for the train to roll on. At one stage, I think just about every toy had been taken off the shelves and used to create a new imaginative story.
Packing up our play and putting all the toys back in their rightful places often takes more time and encouragement! Our packing away song ‘The Little Dusty Gnome’ is very helpful as the children already know what is coming. With the adults modelling the careful return of all our toys to their homes, the children learn through imitation how to help put our Playgroup back in order. Shells, seeds and rocks all have their own special places. Sorting these items into the appropriate baskets is an early step towards mathematics.
During one wet outdoor play, some of the children were fascinated to find that catching raindrops in different sized pots made different sounds. What a wonderful wet-weather discovery! Steeped in wonder, these precious early years of learning will carry these children through their lives.
Carina Halliday
Playgroup Coordinator
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