The children, families and educators have enjoyed a wonderful start to the year and a sense of calm and readiness for learning was evident throughout the ELC.
We are supported by a wonderful parent community, many of whom shared their time with us for our Information Evenings, committee meetings and volunteering their time to assist with our programs. A true sense of partnership and community has engulfed St Peter’s Early Learning Centre in 2019, and we look forward to the many possibilities the year ahead holds.
We welcomed Miss Emily Trenchard (2001) to St Peter’s ELC, joining us as the new 4 year old Pre Prep teacher. Emily brings with her a wealth of knowledge, passion for early childhood education and returns to Loreto Toorak as a past pupil.
The year has begun with bucket filling, pets, clay, buddies, water play, liturgies and fun. Each day the children bring with them a sense of excitement as they question, wonder and explore their learning spaces through play, beginning to learn about themselves and their social connections to others. Children are not born equipped with the social and emotional skills needed to regulate how they interact with others. They are born completely dependent on the adults around them to provide support, model appropriate behaviours and gently guide them when needed. In order to adjust our level of support and expectations for children’s behaviour appropriately, we need to have a deeper understanding of their developmental capabilities. Ongoing support will enable children to develop social competence, which is the ability to interact with others in an appropriate way. Social development refers to a child’s ability to interact, relate to and empathise with others. Typical milestones for 3-5 year olds include: enjoys playing with other children; may have a particular friend; shares, smiles and begins to cooperate with peers (cooperative play); jointly manipulates objects with one or two other peers and develops independence and social awareness.
All behaviours are an attempt to communicate something. In order to adequately support children and guide their behaviour in a safe and supportive way, we must be aware of factors that affect behaviour. Working in partnership, as educators and parents, the children are able to hear a common language and experience clear expectations. This sense of partnership between the ELC educators, children and families is a key factor in our time with the children in their early learning experience.
