The children have returned from their school holidays and are excited to play with each other again. They have been busy creating potions – collecting interesting bits and pieces from nature in our playground, and mixing them with water. Some of the potions make you invisible, and some make flowers grow everywhere. Very useful potions indeed!
This interest in plants and nature inspired us to plant some sunflower seeds on cotton wool to see what happens – not a lot yet, but it is early days and it takes a long time for a seed to sprout! The children are watching over their seeds, watering them, observing and drawing their progress.
Aunty Wendy Lotter has been teaching us about her indigenous culture. She showed us how to do mapping like the First Nations’ people, using special symbols to show the way. The children made some amazing representations of journeys using this knowledge.
Wendy introduced the children to ochre. She brought in ochres of many different colours from all over the country. The children loved mixing the ochre with water and rubbing this lovely substance on their arms, making patterns and enjoying the sensory experience. Wendy has also made a beautiful wall hanging with the children, adding everyone’s hand prints to the design – Wendy even added her hand prints as well as those of the preschool educators!
(EYLF Outcomes 2.4.1 Use play to investigate and explore nature and the natural environment. 1.3.9 Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and community members to explore their own and others social and cultural heritage.)
