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Dear families,

Welcome to Term 3 at Preschool!

Preschool update Term 2 has been very eventful, with some changes along the way. We welcomed our new educators, Miss Namita and Miss Lauren. Both educators have settled in well and have found their feet. All our new educators including Sue continue to build positive relationships with children and families. Sue and Christine have been working on building the new team and working through routines and expectations. We have adjusted some routine times to better suit the needs of the children and optimise group learning times for

the children. The educational team have been reflecting on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) which guides our practice and learning curriculum of Kings Road Preschool and all other early childhood services across Australia. All services are guided by the EYLF practices, principles and learning outcomes and these are what we use to influence and enhance our practices and implement quality improvements. The team has been working on how we are meeting and incorporating the framework in the service. We also consider the past practices and our family expectations. Our educational team is very experienced in developing and implementing holistic learning programs for young children. Sue and Namita have both led their previous services to an exceeding rating in the assessment and rating process.

Our Learning Centres As part of our reflection we have enhanced our learning centres with STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) resources. Children have the opportunity to engage with these experiences throughout the day not only during small group time. Educators are responsive and assist and modify teaching strategies to meet each child’s strengths and interests and support their areas of needs. Our writing centre has also been enhanced with tools and provisions added to support the development of fine motor skills, literacy, creativity and problem solving. Children are encouraged to tidy up when they are finished. Children are monitored and supported to use the equipment appropriately, however, creativity is encouraged. By having learning centres rich in choice and equipment, children are able to manipulate and utilise tools to support their own learning. Children eagerly practice and refine their skills. We know that children need lots of opportunities to practice new skills and ideas to become confident and accomplished.

Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, one teacher can change the world. – Malala Yousafzai –

Weekly Event/Discussion Topics enclosed A new yummy recipe that you and your children can enjoy!

Focus article: How to…Protect and optimise your child’s vision Monday, 1

st August, 7.00 PM

Parent/Friends Information Evening – Language Development and Child’s Learning & Development

Newsletter

Term 3 2016

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Our community of learners Morning meetings We have introduced our morning meetings with the children. This encourages the children to come together as community members and contribute to the ideas and messages discussed. Children have set rules and guidelines and also consequences, by children being involved in the process they are better able to have understandings of behaviour

regulation and being able to manage and understand expectations. Educators of course have a crucial role to play with guiding and supporting children to develop rules and articulate these.

Afternoon relaxation and yoga To enhance relaxation and quiet time we have introduced relaxation and/or yoga. This is often a guided children’s story with some easy stretches or movement to enhance children’s wellbeing. We have had some children feeling so relaxed they have fallen asleep!!

Documentation of learning

Our documentation processes are being enhanced with the addition of learning stories to children’s portfolios. This is another way of observing children and assessing their learning. The EYLF refers using a range of methods to document children’s learning including learning stories, photos, work samples, projects and checklists. Learning stories offer an insight into children’s thinking and learning, their social connections and friendships, and provide opportunities for educators to extend on children’s understandings through follow up experiences and assess their learning through analysis of learning. Our Daybook has had the inclusion of our reflective journal. This documents what is taking place, what we can add and allow educator reflection and professional discussions to plan meaningful and relevant learning for the children. Topics will be incorporated into the program. All topics will be covered, however, will be encompassed within children’s interests. As early childhood teachers and educators, we know that young children are more engaged and focused when interest-based learning is acted upon when the interest is unfolding. The very nature of young children is one of the inquiring minds – they are looking for answers to their questions, they long to find out more about how their world works. Our role is to resource and to provide insightful provocations to extend learning or to introduce new concepts through our own knowledge and teaching strategies and practices. The EYLF talks about children and educators being co-collaborators in their own learning. Educators utilise many teaching strategies to support, grow and engage the children in meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities. Please be assured that our art literacy and numeracy focus will continue along with developing positive social skills, behaviour regulation, strong communications skills and being positive, respectful and considerate community members.

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Other Events Our social events – Our Grandparents Days were a great success, with our visitors joining in with our activities of craft, beading and gardening. Our incursions – “Meet My Friends” puppet show was enjoyed by all the children. We learnt about being a good friend, talking confidently to others, and listening to others, this extended on the messages we are supporting children every day to understand. Projects: children have participated in small projects throughout the term, including spiders, science activities: absorption, reactions of liquids, gravity. Food Drive: THANKS TO YOU, our Providential Homes food drive was a wonderful success! The team came and spoke to the children on how this food would assist families who may need some extra help.

Pastoral Care

Families can access Life Church’s Pastoral Care team on 9680 9144.

Parent & Friends Information Meeting – Language Development –

(Monday, 1 August, 7.00 PM)

About the presentation: Although the first year is vital in the development of language in children, major learning continues throughout a child’s early years.

Presenter profile: Alessandra Moore is a speech pathologist with expertise in learning disabilities, speech problems, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), dyspraxia and hearing loss.

This session gives us handy tips on how to encourage language development in children.

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2016 Closing Date The Preschool will close this year on Friday, 23 December. We will close for 4 weeks over the Christmas break and will reopen on Monday, 23 January 2017.

If withdrawing your child from Preschool during Term 4, the full term’s fees are payable as it is not possible to replace any child who leaves so late in the year.

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Children’s Day is held on 4 August each year and is coordinated by SNAICC. Children’s Day was first observed in 1988, with 2016 being the 29th celebration. Each year SNAICC produces and distributes resources to help organisations, services, schools, and communities celebrate. The theme for Children’s Day 2016 is My Country, Our Country, We All Belong. This year’s Children’s Day is all about helping our children feel connected and proud of our culture. It’s all about ensuring all our children feel like they belong.

The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is a time to for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children.

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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

4 August

Book Reviews

If the bedtime routine is getting a little repetitive give these gems a try. We have found some exciting NEW picture books for 2016.

The Hueys are back in their new book from New York Times bestselling illustrator, Oliver Jeffers. He combines his unique sense of humoor and distinct illustrations to teach the concept of opposites.

Alan is good at one thing: scaring other creatures with his big, shiny teeth. But false teeth can get lost, and one day Alan's teeth go missing. Jarvis's funny story boasts bright illustrations and a witty twist at the end.

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encouragement to get moving. Each pose is introduced by a short animation, and a live video with kids attempting the pose and the animated Super Stretch explaining what they’re doing.

Below are three apps designed to guide relaxation in young children and one just for the bubs’ attention.

App Reviews

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

Sesame Street - FREE

Adorable, familiar Sesame Street characters engage kids, who'll have fun actively helping the blue monster deal with problems.

Super Stretch Yoga

The Adventures of Super Stretch, LLC - FREE

Super Stretch Yoga HD offers a kid-friendly guide to 12 different yoga poses and lots of gentle

Infant Zoo lite

Treebetty LLC - FREE

Attract your baby’s attention and curiosity with the high contrast images in this Baby

app. Infant Zoo has been specifically designed for newborns and young babies, which can only perceive high contrast colours at the beginning, which makes this app perfectly suitable for Babies.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

One parent’s experience of travelling with her children: The world is getting smaller and there is no better education for our global citizens of the 21st century than world travel. At home, we live a fairly routine life, with friends who are similar to us in many ways and a comfortable set of activities. It’s easy for kids to get isolated, and begin to believe their comfortable lives are the norm for everyone. When we travel, we tend to break free of those bonds, talking with new people, and gaining a broader perspective through our new experiences. Sometimes we bring those experiences home with us, for example, the street performers in Rome helped us realise how much my son loved live music, and we started to find more opportunities to see live performances at home. Even at a young age, kids can start to understand different lifestyles. At 3 years old, my son was fascinated to visit a Pueblo home in New Mexico and talk to the owner, a woman who chose to live without running water or electricity. When he learns more about Native Americans this Thanksgiving, he’ll bring that perspective and memory with him, and the idea of Native Americans living in Teepees won’t seem so foreign to him. As my kids get older, and especially as we begin to visit more developing countries, I hope the travel will help them understand world events better, and help them realise that our responsibility to help extends beyond our own family and our own back yard. Source: http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/why-travel-with-kids-is-an-enriching-experience

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Focus Article: How to…Protect and optimise your child’s vision Rebecca Jamieson shares some simple tips to help children enjoy optimal vision.

A child's world is loaded with technology and intense study throughout the school years, and it's easy for them to fall into bad habits that can affect their vision. Fortunately, there are a number of measures we can take to encourage children to protect their vision.

Ensure adequate lighting in study areas Room lighting alone is fine, as long as it also illuminates the reading matter. Rooms should also be well lit when children are watching TV.

Limit TV time Children’s vision develops better during activities such as reading and active play.

Encourage regular breaks from close-up work Our visual system is designed to 'move' by looking up close, far away and mid-distance. When we spend prolonged periods staring at screens or reading books, the visual system can exhibit signs of stress. Ensure children take breaks every 15-20 minutes to keep their eye muscles moving. Get them to look up, focus on other objects around them, close their eyes and roll them widely a few times before resuming work.

Encourage children to read at the appropriate distance Children often hold written material too close; knuckle-to-elbow distance between eyes and a book is ideal. A computer screen should be 70-80cm from your child; to help measure the distance, get them to hold their arm out straight like a policeman when stopping traffic. The top of the screen should be 10 degrees below the 'straight ahead' eye position; the middle of the screen 20 degrees below. When watching TV, encourage children not to sit closer than they have to.

Establish workspaces that encourage correct posture Where possible; get children to read and work at slope-topped desks to encourage a balanced body posture. It’s recommended your child's eyes be knuckle-to-elbow distance away from their work materials; both of their eyes should be used equally.

Ensure pens/pencils are held correctly Children should grip the pen or pencil between their thumb and next two fingers so they can see the tip of the pencil while writing. A rubber pencil grip can help.

Understand the purpose of glasses If your child wears glasses, make sure they are kept clean, well adjusted and worn straight on the face. Ensure your child wears their glasses when needed and for the purposes prescribed.

Don't put pressure on eyes when unwell When children aren't well, prevent them from doing large amounts of reading or time in front of the TV or computer. Illness lowers the body's energy reserves and reduces visual skills.

Don't read in the car The movement of the vehicle puts too much strain on their eyes when they try to focus.

I recommend the entire family have their vision checked every two years, regardless of whether or not there is a vision problem. A regular eye test enables an optometrist to check for eye diseases and ensure the visual system is functioning optimally.

Rebecca Jamieson is a behavioural optometrist and board member at the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO). For more information about how to protect and improve vision visit www.acbo.org.au

This article was sourced from http://www.childmags.com.au/child/health/4600-how-to-protect-and-optimise-your-childs-vision

Penny the Pirate

OPSM have developed a story called Penny the Pirate. Written into the story are three eye screenings, for distance vision, colour vision and depth perception. There is an iPad app and a physical book available. This is the first step in understanding your child’s vision, but it does not replace a full eye test.

Go to http://www.opsm.com.au/eye-care/children/penny to find out more.

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HEALTH & SAFETY: Heater safety this winter

It’s just so cold! Winter is upon us – Heaters certainly have a place in our homes; however, every year children are hospitalised due to burns. The injuries range from superficial third degree burns to full thickness first-degree burns. Children of 2-5 years old are the most commonly admitted, with hands being the predominant point of injury. Even touching the grate or casing of the heater can lead to permanent scarring, and in some cases prolonged treatment times. Kidsafe has issued an online fact sheet detailing the measures parents and carers can take to avoid their little ones getting burnt this winter. Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe this Winter • Remember that there is no nightwear on the market, which

is 100%, fireproof, so choose materials, which have a low likelihood of catching alight. Wool poses a lower risk, as does nylon, however, nylon can melt and stick to the skin. Choose garments that are close-fitting with no frills and check the fire danger warning on the label. Chenille and cotton-flannelette are highly flammable so it would be advisable to avoid these materials for nightwear.

• Before pulling your heater out of storage check online to make sure that the model you are using has not been recalled. Also check the cord for any fraying or breaks, and ensure that the power outlet on your wall is securely attached. When you turn the heater on stay alert to any unusual sounds or smells, these could be an indication that your heater needs to be replaced.

• Keep the heater in a central room where an adult can supervise it easily. Burns to children often occur when they have been left alone in the room with a heater, so investing in a fireguard can also decrease your child’s chances of injury. To be effective the guard must be securely attached to a wall so that the heater is behind a firm barricade. It must also be a decent height with gaps between 5-9cms to avoid other injuries such as falling in, or getting a head, arm or finger stuck.

Magnetic Letters - Materials: Plastic magnetic letters, fridge. This activity is an old favourite, it doesn’t require too much and can be a way to keep your preschooler occupied while dinner is being cooked. Set up by simply placing letters on the fridge and clearing a small space where letters can be placed and words built. • Ask your child to find you certain letters, s, a, t, I, p… maybe they are learning a letter at Preschool. • Help your child spell their name, ask them to try on their own first and then guide them through the process. • Create little activities to suit your child’s ability level: build a word, write a simple sentence or group tall and

short letters.

• Rather than leaving a heater in your child’s room overnight, use it initially to heat up the room- perhaps while you read them a story; then remove it when you leave. This ensures that you have supervised the area while in use. Wearing long pyjamas and adding extra blankets to the bed is a safer solution to keep out the cold, and it decreases the risk of dehydration during the night.

• Think twice about using baby walkers during the colder months as they make it a lot easier for little hands to reach hot surfaces.

• Finally, one of the most important things that you can do is to teach your child how to be safe around heat sources. You can create imaginary scenarios such as ‘what would you do if you got burnt or caught fire?’ When the heater is turned off and cool, use it as a prop to enact how these accidents can happen, and what they would need to do next. For example, if they burnt their hand they must place it under cold running water for 20 minutes and call out for someone’s help. Remember that acting fast is essential when in a burns emergency, so children need to know what to do. Nothing beats learning life skills early on… Heaters and other electrical appliances don’t only cause burns to children, they can be deadly when left unattended or when faulty. If you do nothing else this winter, check that you have working fire alarms in your home. Put a first aid kit in your garage so you can access it from outside. Show your children how to escape a fire if it was ever to occur in your house by making the easiest exits obvious, and finally, role-play this simple advice to avoid toxic smoke inhalation- drop down low and go, go, go! For emergencies call: 000

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Best wishes to everyone, Christine, Sue, Namita, Lauren, Hannah, Nicole & Indi

Plant a tree…or herb or…

You can plant native trees, shrubs or grasses to help support biodiversity or an edible garden. Kids especially love to get their hands dirty and it is a great learning activity for them to see how plants and food grow.

We’re inviting you to participate – Preschool will be providing each family a seedling to bring home to plant from the week of 25 July.

National tree day is on 29th July and it is a fulfilling opportunity to do something good for the environment. Planet Ark research shows that for every hour Australians spend on outdoor leisure activity we spend 7 hours in front of the TV or computer. The research also shows that our backyards are shrinking and the smaller our backyards, the less time we spend outdoors.

Key events this term!

How can we make our Newsletter even better? What information would you like us to include?

Kings Road Long Day Preschool Email: admin@kingsroadpreschool.com.au Tel: 9634 6555

Emergency Evacuation will be practiced with the children during the week starting Monday, 18 July.

National Tree Day: Friday 29 July – we will be giving out plant seedlings to each family this week to encourage caring for our environment and contributing to a sustainable future.

Parents & Friends Information Night: Monday, 1 August, 7.00 – 8.30 PM.

Language development and Child Development & Learning – All welcome!

“Wild Animal Encounter” incursion – Tuesday, 15 August, 10.00 AM, $12.50 each child.

Happy Father’s Day! – Sunday, 4 September

Dental Week – dental visits on Monday & Thursday 5 & 8 September, 11.00 AM.

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