… through the eyes of a 4 year old
When I arrive at kindy, I will see Lisa and Jody, and maybe give them a hug or a “high 5” to say “Good morning”. Outdoor activities will already have been prepared, ready to start our day outside. What will we do today? I will set about doing my morning jobs– lunchbox away, bag in my locker, cup on the hook, hand towel in the bathroom, sunscreen and mozzie repellent applied, hat on my head… And I’m ready to play! Oh, don’t forget to kiss Mum/Dad/Nan goodbye!
Our outside program allows for many different forms of play. Maybe I want to sit under a tree and read a book or make some craft quietly or even build with some sort of block constructions. Maybe I want to climb the tree! I could build cities of sandcastles, move trucks and cars or dinosaurs around in the big sand pit. If I add water, I could make a river, or make cakes. I’m sure my friends will join in too. I could ride around on the bike track on the tricycles or balance bikes. I know there are rules to be safe and fair so everyone can have a turn. The vege patch might need tending, and fruits or vegies need to be picked. We could cook something with those. The chickens will need to be cared for too. They may need food scraps, their water changed, or maybe just to sit on my lap while I stroke their smooth feathers. If I don’t want to run around and climb on the obstacle course, or swing on the swings, there are some activities on the tables in the undercover area that I can choose.
Getting hungry for morning tea. I sit to the table with my friends or maybe have a picnic out on the grass and chat while we eat our food. I need to make sure that I save enough in my lunchbox for lunch and afternoon tea later.
Mat time is a time for coming together with all of my friends as Lisa will share a story book, sing songs or play games. She may show us something new to learn. We are learning to be respectful of others, and share and value each other’s ideas.
Our indoor program has just as many activities as outside! In the home corner, I can role play, dress up, and pretend to be anyone I want to. The “Creation Station” is where I can make whatever I want to with recycled boxes, cardboard, paints, and collage materials, or draw and write. There is plenty of time to try lots of different activities, or maybe just focus my time on one thing that I’m really interested in –like on the block mat, at the puzzle table, exploring science activities, or sitting in the book corner with lots of books and looking at the fish in the tank. When its pack up time, I work together with my friends to care for our activities and property so we can play with them another time.
We have time together again on the mat before we have our lunch. I’ve also got to get my mattress prepared for rest time. My friends can help me, and I can help my friends to put my sheet over the mattress. During rest time, Lisa tells us stories and guided relaxation as the gentle music helps me to be calm and quiet. Then I will be all ready for the afternoon activities. We have “Rotation Activities” where, in small groups, we move to 3 different activities for short periods of time to work on projects, learn new concepts, practice new skills, or play games led by Lisa and Jody. All the while, Lisa and Jody are observing how I approach new tasks, interact with others, and grow, learn, and develop.
We may all come together again for a yoga session, story book or game. When we’ve had our afternoon tea, we pack up our belongings, putting our lunchbox in our bag, and are ready to play outside again. It’s good to be inside for the hottest part of the day.
As the afternoon goes by, we need to pack up the outside play area. Like inside, we all work together to get the job done. We even sing a song to help us on our way. For the last time of the day, we gather inside on the mat for another story or discussion about what we would like to plan for tomorrow.
“The golden sun is shining,
up in the sky so blue.
Farewell my friends
Farewell…
To you and you and you”
