Tag: kindergarten

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Tips for Easing Transition to School

Welcome to 2015! What an exciting year ahead and this time of year is particularly busy as we see children transitioning from one room to another and some children starting primary school!

The transition process varies from child to child – some find it stress-free and easy while others can struggle at first and take a bit longer to feel comfortable. There are of course ways to help all children with these transitions, such as taking it slow and introducing unfamiliar processes in stages. Confidence is key, so carrying through things that children are learning and working on them at home will do wonders and contribute to self-esteem and ability to cope with change. Always maintain an open line of communication between educators and parents so that if there are any concerns on either end, including the child’s, this can be addressed as quickly as possible.

Starting primary school is a particularly big step and an important milestone for children, and for parents! To help everyone with this time, we spoke with a primary school Prep coordinator who gave us some tips on what children should aim to be able to do before commencing school to make the transition to school as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. These tasks are things that we can incorporate into ours days at centres and that parents can work on at home.

Children starting Prep should aim to be able to:

-Tie their own shoelaces
-Count from one to ten, and from ten to one
-Write their own name
-Recite the alphabet
-Carry their own bag
-Pack their lunchbox with various compartments for different items
-Be confident with zips, buttons and velcro
-Use the bathroom independently and confidently
-Take care of their belongings including books and uniform
-Put things away when they are no longer being used
-Listen and focus

Do you have any more to add that you believe are a great help for the primary transition? Share with us on Facebook or comment below.

Good luck to all currently transitioning or about to – as daunting as it can be, watching children tackle the next step in their education and their development is a special and exciting time!

If you’d like to learn more about easing the transition to school, these links are full of handy tips and resources:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/professionals/learning/Pages/transition.aspx?Redirect=1

https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/starting-school/1-thinking-about-transition-school

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/parent-resources/transition-school/

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5 Ways to Approach Father’s Day With Care

Father’s Day is a brilliant way of celebrating dads and all that they bring to our lives. Everywhere we look in shopping centres in the lead up to Sunday 7 September this year, promotional material encourages us to show dad how much we care and to spoil him, and it is around this time that early childhood educators organise our Father’s Day activities in centres.

While Father’s Day is exciting for many children, as with any occasion that is about celebrating a particular role within families, it should be approached with the knowledge in mind that not all children come from families that have a father present for many varied reasons.

Father’s Day discussions with children can be a great way of opening up a dialogue about the different shapes and sizes of families and the different roles of various adults in their lives. Letting children know that there’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family can be incredibly comforting to a child who may feel uncomfortable about their family situation and can teach other children about diversity.

Here’s our top five tips for approaching Father’s Day with care this year:

1. When talking to children about Father’s Day, keep in mind not all children will have dads involved in their lives, while some may have two dads.

2. If you’re hosting a Father’s Day celebration, open the invite to dads, step-dads, grandfathers and uncles.

3. Don’t be afraid to open the dialogue about family diversity and the different families that children may have.

4. When embarking on activities such as card and gift-making, suggest the options for who children may like to design their creation for rather than specifying ‘for dad’.

5. Some children may even like to make more than one item for the occasion if they have more than one father figure in their lives.

As always, we’d love to hear your tips for creating an inclusive and positive Father’s Day experience in your centre, and in your home.

If you’d like to explore family diversity with your children in centres or at home, these books may be a good starting point exploring modern families, adoption, divorce, same-sex families, death of a parent and more: http://www.parenting.com/gallery/divorce-books-children?page=0

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Early Childhood Conference of the Performing Arts 2014

Based on the theme of ‘Learning Through Musical Play’, the 19th Early Childhood Conference of the Performing Arts takes place in Victoria this weekend, presented by the Victorian Orff Schulwerk Association.

As you can imagine, this conference is something that the Bonkers Beat team is passionate about and we are proud to announce that Galina Zenin will be among the exceptional collection of presenters at this year’s conference.

The EECPA 2014 program comprehensively covers various elements of music and education, right through from exploration of holistic education to boosting your confidence and renewing your enthusiasm.

The keynote speaker is a special guest from the USA, Lynn Kleiner and she has a wealth of amazing musical approaches to education to share with us:

Lynn Kleiner will introduce delightful rhymes, folk songs, dances, world music, classical pieces as well as instruments for the youngest music makers. Children become sensitive listeners, considerate participants, & successful musicians. The use of language, movement, rhythm & melody in a game-like atmosphere develops mental concentration, coordination, self-concept & creativity, while building an excellent foundation for future musical pursuits. From the beginning, the ideas & contributions of even the youngest music maker are recognized & encouraged. Everyone, including the adults are viewed as successful music makers.

Where: Genazzano FCJ College, Kew, Victoria
When: August 16 and 17, 2014

To join us at ECCPA 2014, register online here: http://www.vosa.org/index.php/Registration/36-eccpa-2014-registration

To find out more about Lynn Kleiner’s Teacher Training Course held across Kew and Caulfield locations in Victoria from August 16-19, click here: http://www.vosa.org/index.php/events/35-lynn-kleiner-teacher-training-course

 

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Engaging Multiple Intelligences

When it comes to education at any level, we often see great emphasis placed on two areas of intelligence – verbal or English and maths. Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests and many academic tests predominantly measure aptitude in these areas. While we believe in the importance of these areas, we are also passionate about the idea of each person having multiple intelligences’ and that each one of these areas should be nurtured in early childhood education and beyond.

The term ‘multiple intelligences’ refers to a theory by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, who proposed that there are eight kinds of intelligence and of course we each possess skills within these. The eight areas Dr Gardner identified are:

Musical – a great understanding of music and often enjoy singing or tapping away
Linguistic – talented when it comes to words. These children may enjoy reading, writing and telling stories
Logical-mathematical – ability in maths and patterns. Skilled in strategy games
Bodily-kinesthetic – great physical ability when it comes to sports and expressing oneself physically
Spatial – often think visually and have well-developed artistic ability
Intrapersonal – understanding of their own emotions and desires with the ability to be self-motivated
Interpersonal – perceptive and leaders among peers with exceptional communication skills and ability to understand the feelings of others
Naturalist – a natural aptitude for recognising and classifying elements in nature, from animals to plants

Here are some really great links that offer comprehensive information on how to identify where one’s strengths lie when it comes to these seven areas, as well as supporting and opposing theories and the eights type of intelligence that Dr Gardner later identified: ‘naturalist’, referring to an ability to recognise elements in nature.

LINKS:
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/multiple_intelligences/
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-are-multiple-intelligences
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=251
http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As you can see, each child can fit into many of these intelligence categories to varying degrees. This broader view of intelligence equips educators and parents alike with the ability to teach in a way that can enhance these areas and allow children to blossom in the areas they are naturally destined to excel in.

Visit the Bonkers Beat Facebook page and share your ideas when it comes to educational techniques that focus one or more particular areas – we’d love to hear from you.

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Grandparents & Special Friends Day Celebrations

With Mothers Day in May and Fathers Day in September, at Bonkers Beat we have always found July to be the perfect time to host Grandparents Day.

The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can be varied – some are very close and play a huge role in children’s every day lives, while others may not be as close and perhaps even live quite far away or are no longer with us. Whatever the case may be, the grandparent role is very important in children’s lives and where a close grandparent is not be in the picture, children may have a ‘special person’ who they look to outside of their home such as an uncle, aunt or perhaps a close friend of their parents.

To quote the Raising Children website: ‘One of the great things about becoming a grandparent is loving and caring for your grandchild without being responsible for him in the same way his parents are’. And it’s easy to imagine what a special relationship can flourish from this bond with a child!

Research has shown that there are mental health benefits to maintaining a good relationship with grandparents as children get older, with both parties less likely to suffer from depression as a result of their bond. In fact, the same researchers highlighted the benefits of extended family for children, saying that these relationships are more important today than ever before.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day within centres can be a fantastic way of celebrating these support networks for children by giving them the opportunity to show their love and appreciation. Here are some suggestions and ideas from Bonkers Beat if you’re brainstorming activities:

-Create an ‘I Love You because…’ card and children can offer a special reason
-Create a photo frame as a gift
-Create a collage together of things that remind them of their relationship
-Sing some special songs together
-Play instruments together in a music session
-All children act out a favourite book for the grandparents/special friends
-Yoga and wellbeing activities with grandparents/special friends
-Grandparents/special friends may enjoy sharing a snack with the children
-Children might like to give grandparents/special friends a tour of their room

Here’s a link for you to find some great printables and other ideas for your Grandparents & Special Friends Day: http://activityvillage.co.uk/grandparents-day
Do you have some amazing ideas for Grandparents & Special Friends Day? Share them with us on the Bonkers Beat Music & Wellbeing Facebook page or comment here!

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Sleep Well, Play Well, Learn Well

Most experts agree that children between 5 and 12 need about 10 hours, even 11 hours of sleep per night – children under 5 should be aiming for 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night as well as a nap or at the very least some quality rest time during the day.

As much as we tend to realise that the body needs sleep to physically rejuvenate us it also helps children to grow and assists the immune system. Our brains also rely on sleep to function properly – researchers often say that they believe the brain uses sleep to sort through information, solve problems, organise your thoughts and generally restore itself. It is safe to say that fulfilling the sleep and rest quota each day for children is imperative to their overall ability to function, both physically and mentally. It’s not surprising that children who don’t get enough sleep or rest time can be irritable and struggle to concentrate and perhaps feel clumsy.

Educators should remember that the National Quality Standards Quality Area 2, Element 2.1.2 specifically refers to centres making sure that “each child’s comfort is provided for and there are appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation, which in turn directly supports Element 2.1 as a whole – promoting the health of the children. (See below from NQS Quality Areas).

The amount of sleep different children require is, as with adults, an individual thing. There should, however, still be an emphasis on ensuring that children are sleeping enough, resting enough and that these are quality sleeps and rests to maximise what your child/ren can get out of every day.

We all know that sometimes it can be a challenge to get children to sleep, but there are ways that you can make it easier for children:

-Keep up a regular routine where children can come to understand that rest or sleep time is approaching. Routine can help children mentally and physically prepare;
-Try some relaxation exercises or reading a book in the lead up;
-Make sure children get ample fresh air and physical activity;
-Ensure children are comfortable and not hungry, thirsty etc before they settle down to rest/sleep.

It is so important to remember that even if children are sleeping well overnight, a day nap is necessary right up until about the age of 3. While some 4 and 5-year old children may still take a short nap during the day, many don’t, but they should be having periods of rest and relaxation to maintain those high energy levels all day long.

You can find more information and tips about children and naps from the Victorian government website Better Health here: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sleep_children_and_naps?open

If you’d like to read more about different types of sleep and sleep across different ages, you may like to visit: http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep.

Don’t forget to look at your own sleep patterns too – even adults can improve the way we function in our daily lives simply from ensuring we get a decent amount of sleep and that it’s quality sleep and rest. After all, you need all the energy you can muster to keep up with the kids!

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Sustainability Practices & Beyond…

Earlier this month World Environment Day took place, with its major goal to increase awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainability across the globe. World Environment Day lands on June 5 every year and is a United Nations initiative that has been embraced by many people in various countries and sees them get inspired to take positive environmental action.

With the environment in mind, we want to highlight how sustainability practices not only help the world become a better place for all, but can assist you in improving your NQS Rating.

ACECQA’s most recent newsletter takes a look at a wonderful, lush service in Toowoomba, Queensland and the incredible work they have done including the introduction of a worm farm at their centre. Of course, many other services have less space and their surrounding area may not be as nature-rich, but there are always ways to improve the space you are working with. To have a read of ACECQA’s newsletter about sustainability, click here.

Standard 3.3 of the National Quality Standard states:

‘The service takes an active role in caring for its environment and contributes to a sustainable future.’ 

According to ACECQA, Quality Area 3 – Physical Environment and Standard 3.3 as mentioned above, are areas that often prove to be challenging for centres, with a Working Towards NQS Rating the most likely result across over 5,500 assessed centres.

Bonkers Beat is very proud to have achieved an Exceeding NQS Rating for this area, which was the highest rating achievable at the time.  This is why we want to share our sustainability practices with you!

Bonkers Beat Aspendale was recently filmed for a training video about incorporating sustainability into services, and you can watch the video to enjoy a brief tour of the space that we have created: ‘Environmental Sustainability Program at Bonkers Beat Music Kinder Aspendsale’

We believe that we can all contribute to a sustainable future, and you may even find some of our ideas could work at your home!

Unfortunately, we can only share a short, edited version of the video as they are specifically being used for training, but we always welcome visitors to our centre, so if you’d like to come along and see more of Bonkers Beat for yourself, get in touch to arrange a visit!

Many thanks to Child Care Centres Association of Victoria for running a very valuable General Members Meeting last night in Melbourne and inviting Mary Jeavons from ‘Jeavons Landscape Architects’.  Mary presented a fantastic session on the planning and design of outdoor spaces in children’s services. To support our previous discussion, she highlighted the importance of outdoor play and influence of the natural environment on children’s overall development.

Not only are our sustainability practices working towards a better world, we are able to offer a hands-on teaching experience for children to learn how to care for the environment – and this is surely the ultimate way of looking out for the future!

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