Let the Children Play

Young learners must have the opportunity to play. It is through play that children have the opportunity to use one more of the ‘100 languages’ as described in the Reggio Emilia Philosophy. It enables effective learning and permits children to immerse themselves in something which comes naturally to them. Through immersion, enjoyment and satisfaction, children find meaning, link information and want to explore, investigate, hypothesise and learn more. Knowledge and interests develop accordingly.

Children have a right to play, providing:

• A deeper sense of emotional satisfaction, enjoyment and a natural feeling of comfort
• Acquisition of various understandings and feelings of empowerment and encouragement
• A natural love of learning new skills and gaining independence is satisfied through play
• The opportunity to make sense of the events they have seen or been part of
• Opportunities to find meaning from friendships made through play
• Opportunities to initiate, choose and have a degree of independence and control during play.

A critical component of identity, well being and learning can be found in active participation, collaboration and through developing an understanding of the rules often accompanying games as children mature. Rules promote the ability to self-regulate, a critical aspect of healthy self-management skills friendships and learning.

The power of play for young learners should never be minimised.

Planning our Family Event

It has been a privilege to observe some of the brainstorming and planning sessions held by Campbell House staff as they work to effect a memorable event for ELC parents and children.

With professionalism and commitment to the provision of the best for every learner and the enjoyment of all involved, staff have investigated every way possible in which to apply the Reggio Emilia approach in order to provide different individuals to have a ‘voice’ in the activities.

The Reggio Emilia approach implies that children do not have one language but indeed have 100. Expressions of interest, learning, engagement and passion can be observed in a myriad of ways when children are curious and imagination is ignited.

Just some of the 100 languages suggested by the Reggio Emilia philosophy will be readily observed by parents at the Family Event – “Love, Family, People, Togetherness”

Date: 14 September 2017
Time: Early evening (different sessions)
Venue: Campbell House: The llhan Family Centre

We warmly encourage all families to attend the event and become immersed in the joy of learning.

Mrs Alana Moor
Head of ELC and Junior School

It’s a mystery!

While digging in the sandpit recently, the children in Blue Gum Room came across something unexpected. Excitement built as word spread amongst the children believing that they may have found treasure. All the children knew was that it was something hard and something white in the sand. What could it be? Enlisting the help of more diggers, they continued to dig a deeper hole to surface the unknown object. Once they dislodged the mysterious item from the sand they soon discovered that it was a bone. With much excitement, the children continued digging and discovered two more bones. The children’s curiosity ignited as they wondered “How did these bones get here?” and “What do they belong to?” After much discussion, the children began to theorise…

“I think they are dinosaur bones.”

“Maybe a dinosaur tip-toed into our Kinder while we weren’t looking.”

“I think a dinosaur came here at night time.”

“Maybe they are from hundreds of years ago.”

Investigations into this mystery continue as the children try to work out what type of animal/creature these bones belong to and how they got into our sandpit.

Ms Sarah Bethune
Blue Bum Room Teacher/ELC Coordinator