National Science Week 2024
Colours, Caterpillars and Curiosity: Playful STEM Adventures in the Early Learners’ Centre
Celebrating Science Week in the Early Learners’ Centre was a journey full of wonder, with curious minds and joyful discoveries. It was a pleasure to guide our youngest learners through hands-on activities that left them beaming with excitement and a growing love for learning.
Our adventure began with the enchanting First Nations story ‘How the Birds Got Their Colours’ by Mary Albert. The children were captivated by how our bright, colourful birds came to be while the crows remained black.
Inspired by the story, we put on our science hats and wondered, “If the birds were originally black, could they be hiding colourful secrets?” This curiosity led us to explore what hidden colours might be inside a black marker. Using paper chromatography, the children were thrilled to discover that a black marker holds a rainbow of colours like pink, blue and orange!
These activities were truly special because they embraced the magic of play-based learning. STEM comes alive when children can follow their natural curiosity and explore science through playful discovery. From watching colours separate to making paper towel caterpillars “wiggle with water,” the children’s delight in these small wonders showed how deeply they were engaged in learning.
In our “Magic Milk” experiment, the children dipped detergent-covered cotton tips into bowls of milk and food dye. They watched in awe as vibrant colours swirled and danced across the surface. The science behind it? When detergent breaks the surface tension of the milk, it sends the colours swirling in mesmerising patterns—a simple yet magical way to show that even everyday materials hold exciting secrets waiting to be explored.
The highlight? When asked if they loved science, the children enthusiastically shouted, “YES!” That’s the excitement we aim to nurture, setting the foundation for lifelong curiosity and confident learning.
Melissa Lee
STEM Innovation Leader
News from Learning Community 1
A child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking – Loris Malaguzzi
The Reggio Emilia philosophy embraces a key pedagogical approach known as The Hundred Languages. This conceptualises and celebrates the many languages children use to construct concepts, consolidate knowledge and represent their understanding of the world around them. While verbal language is important, The Hundred Languages recognises and celebrates that children explore, express, communicate, research, theorise, imagine and connect in more than one hundred ways.
Guided by our Central Idea of ‘Research can promote and support collaboration’, our Learning Community 1 children have been exploring, investigating and experimenting with the language of paint, mark-making, loose parts and playdough to capture and share their research of Ferguson Park.
Our youngest learners have deepened their botanical awareness through observational drawing and painting using the tactile and inviting quality of pastels, acrylic and watercolour paints. This creative language has encouraged the children to identify and represent concepts of plant anatomy, like the stems, leaves and flowers of many different wattle species. Our loose parts Atelier has also yielded conceptual, creative opportunities for children to represent their knowledge of Ferguson Park. Using diverse, repurposed materials like yoghurt lids and sponges in the colours of yellow and green, the children have harnessed their creative thinking skills to express the shapes of wattle leaves and flowers. Similarly, through the language of playdough, the children have been exploring plant shapes by pressing soursob ‘weeds’ gathered from Ferguson Park into the malleable, soft dough. They have been experimenting with rolling, hammering and patting to create intricate impressions.
The enjoyment of engaging with creative languages has inspired connection, collaboration and conversation between peers. We are also delighted to hear that children are transferring their knowledge to the home environment and sharing their expert knowledge of Ferguson Park with their families.
Dot Kelly
Learning Community 1 – Bell Yett Teacher
Wellbeing in the ELC
Monique Gannon, ELC Leader Wellbeing (Children)
Monique Gannon (Patteson 2003) is a dedicated professional with a rich background in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. A mother of three, all of whom have attended St Peter’s Girls’ Early Learners’ Centre (ELC), Monique holds a Master of Psychology and has worked in both mental health and disability settings, supporting children, adults, and families. Drawn to the positive and creative nature of the early learning environment, she later pursued a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
In her role as Wellbeing Leader, Monique is committed to fostering the first two pillars of the ELC Vision of Assessment at St Peter’s Girls’ ELC: Sense of Belonging & Connection and Social Skills. Monique works alongside the Teaching staff to ensure best practice in the classroom regarding children’s socioemotional development, wellbeing and inclusion. This comprises research, resource provision and consultations, as well as working with children in small groups to develop their emotional literacy and skills in mindfulness, interoception and emotional regulation.
Monique is available to provide additional support to children and families experiencing difficulties (e.g. developmental or behavioural concerns, family changes, or classroom transitions). Please reach out to your child’s teacher or contact Monique directly if you would like further support or to have a chat via mgannon@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
The Importance of Signing In/Out at the ELC
To ELC Families,
A friendly reminder to please sign in and sign out your child/children each morning and afternoon when entering and departing the ELC.
This is part of our regulatory obligations as an early learning service and ensures our Centre has a record of your child’s attendance in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
If you forget to sign in or sign out, please call, or email our Centre at your earliest convenience with your child’s full name and room/teacher.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Centre phone number: 8155 5733
Centre email: Wolita Harding, ELC Manager: wharding@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au