Building Community Connections.
As educators we aim to
promote a sense of community within the early childhood setting and
build connections between
the early childhood setting and the local community.
Last week we decided to
learn about the community of Coleraine and we brought up the idea with the
children, explaining what the word community means and prompting them to come
up with ideas about what might be in our community. We drew a map and made a list of the things
we might like to see and visit in the local area. –not surprisingly the
playground and “chocolate shop” were first to go on the list. We organised an
excursion to see all the things we had talked about. This is what happened on our COMMUNITY WALK.
· We left the kinder and
walked to the FIRESTATION, then walked past the WANNON HOSTEL and HOSPITAL
where we waved to some residents and patients out enjoying the beautiful
sunshine.
· We walked to CHARLOTTE’S
HOUSE where her Mum, Dad, Evelyn and baby Wylah were waiting to wave to us. We
then went past the RSL, waved to PHEOBE’S house and called out hello to
Candice.
· We then visited the
CHOCOLATE FACTORY and enjoyed looking at the delicious things on display,
Merryn bought us all one chocolate each for after lunch.
· We then went to the POST OFFICE
where we recycled our printer cartridges (learning about helping the
environment) and visited the ANZAC Day FLOWERS where Maree explained to the
children the story behind them.
· The Supermarket was next
on our list and Nicole and Paul showed us all sorts of good things including
out the back, the big fridges and where the big truck comes in to deliver all
the food. We had a look at all the
fruits and vegetables and talked about what they were, which ones we tasted and
made connections to our own vegie garden back at kinder. All the children then got to have a go
scanning a box of teabags...beep!
· We then headed out back gate of the supermarket, past the
BOWLING CLUB up to SKATEPARK and PLAYGROUND where we had lunch, rolled down the
hill near the creek and looked for natural treasures to put in the special bag
we had been given to collect natural items in (for our nature creations on the
back porch at kinder)
· We had a great time and
although three of our friends were missing (which was a bit sad) we did remember
to buy them a chocolate. Thank you to
Jana and Skye and Evie and Olivia who joined us on our Community walk and all
those people who welcomed us along the way.
Links
to the Early Years Learning Framework
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute
to their world
· Children develop a sense of
belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal
rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation
· Children respond to diversity with
respect
· Children become aware of fairness
Children become socially responsible and show
respect for the environment
