Matty van Drempt and Emma Elegado-Kotulic share the exciting learning in the Birth-3 Program during Term 3 so far.
NIDO / Parent Toddler
We’re all enjoying being together and being able to meet. Thank you to all our families for following the COVID-19 procedures put in place to keep us all safe.
In the NIDO class, 3 of the children are just pulling up and starting to walk. It’s great to see them getting to know one another and interacting. It’s such a beautiful age. At the end of our session we always sing some songs and the way they pay attention and participate is just very special.
In our P/T session we see the children branch out to many more activities. The skills they are developing, sometimes after weeks of repetition, and the triumphant smile once they get it, are just priceless. They’re such tireless and hard workers.
It is also wonderful for the adults to see this, to spend time one on one, meet other parents, compare notes and feel that support. We are honoured to be part of your journey with your child.
Matty van Drempt
Coordinator Birth-6 Community, Director NIDO & Parent Toddler Programs
Toddler 2-3 Program
The Toddler Community has been focusing on and enhancing their interest in language. Language development for this age group is significant. They are also in a sensitive period for learning a new language so it sometimes seems effortless to get them engaged. In the environment, we have real objects, nomenclature cards with objects and nomenclature cards. The real objects often come from what we can see around us, such as the fruit and vegetable that the children bring to class. There are also different herbs that we collect from our organic gardens. The children can learn more vocabulary this way having a real and full sensorial experience from the object because they are able to see, touch, smell and sometimes even taste. Using a multisensory experience cements the children’s vocabulary learning. When we are unable to source real objects, we use nomenclature cards for matching. In this way, the children acquire the essence of the object and transfer it to an image. Then, later on, it progresses to just images. This provides opportunities for expanding the children’s vocabulary.
Language learning is not only through these activities but also through books, meaningful conversations with the adult and other children and our current favourite, singing. This has been a musically inclined class with the children bursting out singing while working. They also engage other children to join them singing and at times even sit in front of the class to conduct the group singing as they mimic the teachers.
They all have been enjoying and learning that they can express themselves verbally in the class, and all of us will listen to what they have to say. This builds respect and a growing sense of belonging to a community.
Emma Elegado-Kotulic
Coordinator Birth-6 Community, Director of Toddler 2-3 Program
