WEEK 9

Celebration Pajama Day

NQS 1.1.2: ‘Curriculum decision-making is informed by the context, setting, and cultural diversity of the families and the community’ (National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age Care, 2009, p. 12).
NQS 1.2: ‘The program for each child considers their strengths, capabilities, culture, interests, and experiences (National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age Care, 2009, p. 12).
Learning Outcome 2; become aware of their own and other children’s linguistic and cultural events, such as NAIDOC Week , Pajama Day

In week 9, we participated in Pajama Day, celebrated on July 21st. I organized several engaging activities to encourage both the children and staff to actively take part in the event. Firstly, I created a letter to inform parents about Pajama Day, encouraging them to dress their children in pajamas for the occasion.

The response from parents was varied, which challenged me to implement the letter as an invitation for them to play an active role in their child's learning process and participate in the event. Most parents warmly welcomed the letter, but some inquired about the usual donation collection that takes place during Pajama Day. As I did not have enough time, and my center's host did not organize a donation drive this year, we focused on creating activities for the children and staff to enjoy while wearing their pajamas. Nonetheless, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the children and the teachers who happily arrived in their pajamas.

Reflection:

During this year's Pajama Day, we wore pajamas on specific days, but due to time constraints, I could not organize a fundraising activity. For future planning and capacity development in teaching, I realize the importance of creating well-organized plans with clear timelines to ensure that projects or activities can be successfully implemented, and both children and parents can actively participate in every childcare service celebration. This will be a valuable lesson and a note for my future endeavors.

Art and Craft in Pajamas Day

Australian Professional Teaching standards know the content and how to teach literacy and Numeracy
National Quality Standard Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
National Quality Standard Quality Area 5: Relationships with children
Learning outcome 4; Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another
Learning Outcome 5: Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts

Goal :

Creates the ability to label shapes and objects
Continued learning about colour
Continues to develop fine motor skills

Today was a special day at our early childhood centre - "Art and Craft in Pajamas Day!" The children came to the centre dressed in their coziest pyjamas, ready for a day of creative exploration and fun. This themed day encouraged the children's artistic expression, fostered their imagination, and created a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Setting the Scene:

The classroom was adorned with colourful decorations, twinkling fairy lights, and soft cushions to create a cozy and inviting space. A large art station was set up with various art materials, such as paints, markers, crayons, glitter, glue, and a wide selection of crafting materials. The children's eyes sparkled with excitement as they entered the room, eager to embark on their creative journey.

Art Activities:

The children engaged in various art and craft activities throughout the day. They were free to choose their projects and explore their artistic interests. Some children dove into painting, creating imaginative and vibrant artworks on large canvases. Others opted for crafting paper masks, turning themselves into their favourite animals or characters.

The children eagerly collaborated on group art projects as well. They worked together to create a beautiful mural, where each child contributed their unique artistic touch. The mural represented their collective creativity and teamwork, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the children.

Imaginative Play:

Besides art and craft, "Art and Craft in Pajamas Day" allowed for imaginative play. The children were encouraged to use their creativity to construct forts and playhouses using blankets and pillows. This open-ended playtime allowed the children to engage in dramatic play, role-playing various scenarios and characters.

Storytelling:

As the day unfolded, we also incorporated storytelling sessions. Snuggled up in their pajamas, the children listened with wide-eyed wonder as I read enchanting stories and fairy tales. The reports sparked their imaginations and inspired them to create art related to the accounts they heard.

As educators, witnessing the children's joy and enthusiasm during "Art and Craft in Pajamas Day" reaffirms the importance of regularly incorporating art and creative activities into our curriculum. These experiences promote artistic skills and support the children's overall cognitive, emotional, and social development. Encouraging creative expression and imaginative play fosters a lifelong love for learning and a sense of wonder in the world around them. We look forward to more themed days that inspire and engage the children on their learning journey.

Bubble Time (Sensory Development)

Australian Professional Teaching standards know the content and how to teach literacy and Numeracy
National Quality Standard Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice
National Quality Standard Quality Area 5: Relationships with children
Learning outcome 4; Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another
Learning Outcome 5: Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts
Goal:
Sensory Development through Visual Stimulation for Early Learners, Cognitive Skill, and Five Motor Skills

Today, I introduced a sensory development activity for our early learners after lunch – bubble play! The children showed immense excitement and joy as the bubbles began to float around the classroom. Their faces lit up with smiles, and they couldn't help but giggle with delight as the bubbles gently approached them.

One of the children, Harrison, took a particular interest in the bubbles. He eagerly started to reach out and touch the bubbles using his index finger. It was fascinating to see him crawling and spinning in all directions to catch the floating bubbles scattered throughout the room.

During this activity, I incorporated a bubble-themed song to stimulate the children's sense of hearing. The rhythmic tune added an auditory element to the play, engaging their listening skills and enhancing their overall sensory experience.

The bubble play proved to be a favorite among the early learners, and it offered them valuable opportunities for sensory exploration. They learned to develop their visual senses by observing and tracking the bubbles' movements. The tactile sensation of reaching out to touch the bubbles added to their sensory development.

The activity provided a cognitive challenge as the children tried to predict and follow the path of the bubbles. This encouraged their cognitive skills, such as observation, prediction, and problem-solving.

The bubble play also contributed to the development of their fine motor skills. The children enthusiastically tried to pop the bubbles using their fingers, honing their hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.

Spontaneous Experience - Active Physical Exercise: Yoga

National Quality Standards Area 2. Health and Safety
Learning Outcome 3: Children engage in increasingly complex coordination of body movements by combining gross and fine motor movement and balance to achieve increasingly complex patterns of activity
Learning Outcome 5: Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts
Play pedagogies and curriculum strategies

Goal :

Physical Development; Improves balance, alignment, and coordination with the practice of postures.
Social, Emotional and Cognitive development

After the children woke up from their nap, we engaged in a delightful yoga session. The activity began with the children taking turns selecting a card with a yoga pose. This interactive approach empowered the children to make choices and encouraged them to describe the yoga pose to their peers. This practice improved their language skills and promoted a sense of leadership and confidence as they guided their friends through the poses.

I noticed how much the children enjoyed the activity during the yoga session. The stretching and movement brought a sense of physical relaxation and rejuvenation after their nap. The calming background music enhanced the experience, creating a serene ambience for the children to connect with their bodies and minds.

As an educator, witnessing the children participate in yoga and mindfulness exercises is truly rewarding. Yoga provides numerous benefits for young children, including improved flexibility, body awareness, and concentration. It also helps them manage emotions, reduce stress, and develop self-regulation skills.

The yoga session fostered a sense of community among the children as they practised the poses together. They supported one another in trying new positions and encouraged their friends during the activity. These positive interactions contribute to a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

Incorporating yoga into our daily routine is an excellent way to promote a healthy lifestyle. By introducing the children to physical activities that they find enjoyable, we instil in them the value of regular exercise and self-care from an early age.