This week in the cocoons room saw the continuation of children learning about plantation and plants in their experiences and environment. The children’s interests in plants continued this week as they began the week through a discussion about a cactus plant (8/8). Through this activity children were able to identify and explain how different plants look different. The children were asked to distinguish what makes a cactus look different to other plants which children identified as ‘spikes’.
Our little learners were also provided the opportunity to develop their cognitive and thinking skills through a plant matching activity (9/8). Children were asked by their educator and provided with opportunity to think and enquire different colours of plants that they can see. To further extend children's learning they will continue to explore different life cycles of different plants.
The cocoons this week also engaged in some hands-on planting seeds of broccoli, spinach and bok choy which led to a revision of our plant life cycles (9/8). The cocoons will continue to observe how these plants are growing and continue to care for their plants that they have planted at their sensory table. This week the children also revisited bee pollination reading a story about bees and learning about plants through how bees pollinate towards certain flowers in our gardens (10/8).
As we moved through the week our cocoons also expressed their love of nature through exploring their creativity and imagination. The children recreated flowers using natural resources collected from their garden beds and outdoor surroundings (10/8). Through finger painting children used their touch senses to create a fingerprint painting of a leaf (11/8).
The cocoons continued to further develop their eye hand coordination and understanding of concepts of shapes through a sensory experience making play dough apple trees (11/8). Educator demonstrated to the group what an apple tree could look like, and the children had a wonderful time exploring and manipulating the playdough and creating their own apple trees.
To conclude a wonderful and exciting week of learning about plants our little learners explored ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, engaged in plant and nature yoga and extending their language skills and learning the letters in the word ‘plants’ (12/8).
What the cocoons have learnt this week:
* Through providing children with experiences about plants they have continued exploring nature through hands on learning moments. The cocoons continue to use their play to investigate and explore new ideas in both their indoor and outdoor environments.
* The cocoons have been developing their language skills, social skills, knowledge of scientific concepts and learning more about different plant species and their life cycles.
* Nature Yoga provided children with the opportunity to practice mindfulness, building strength, balance, coordination and body awareness.
Next week (week beginning 15th August) the Caterpillars will continue:
* The cocoons will continue congregating to their garden and exploring different plants and their features in their garden beds.
* Children will observe and document how their plants are growing that they planted.
* Children will continue making plants using play dough and looking at different plants as part of this task.
* Children will continue building on their fundamental movement skills engaging in activities such as long jumps.
Links to Early Years Learning Framework:
1.2 - Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience, and sense of agency
2.4 - Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment.
3.1 - Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing
Links to National Quality Standards:
1.1.2 - Each child’s current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program.
3.1.1 - Outdoor and indoor spaces, buildings, fixtures and fittings are suitable for their purpose, including supporting the access of every child.
3.2.2 - Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning.