St John's Kindergarten - Kingaroy

All the learning we have been doing about farmers and life on the land has truly captivated our children in the second half of this term. They have been fascinated by discovering where our food and clothing come from, learning about farm animals, and exploring the important role farmers play in our everyday lives. And our excursions were the cherry on top. But today, that cherry had chocolate sauce and whipped cream on top! Kylie, who is not only a valued member of our team and a very busy mum, but she also farms sheep with her family. She is currently caring for a tiny orphan lamb who requires bottle feeding around the clock, and we were lucky enough to meet this adorable little newcomer. The kindy was instantly filled with excited whispers, delighted squeals, and plenty of "oohs" and "aahs" as the children gathered around. At first, they thought it was cute little puppy, but they were soon correcting one another as realization dawned. Hearts melted as everyone eagerly waited for a gentle pat. The little lamb is so new that it does not even have a name yet! The children's favourite suggestions were Shaun and Frankie, and there was lots of discussion about which one suited the lamb best. Experiences like this are so valuable for young children because they allow learning to move beyond books and conversations into real-life experiences. The children could see, touch, and connect with something they had been learning about, making their understanding much deeper and more meaningful.
Growing up in a country community provides children with wonderful opportunities like these. Country kids develop a unique appreciation for animals, nature, and the hard work that goes into caring for them. They learn firsthand about responsibility, compassion, and the realities of farm life. Our little visitor also helped everyone appreciate just how busy farmers are. While most of us are tucked up in bed tonight, Kylie will be up preparing a bottle for her little charge, who is still on a newborn schedule of feeding every four hours! Of course, little lambs do not know anything about toilets, so when the inevitable happened during the visit, our children (well, most of them!) were utterly horrified, while a few thought it was absolutely hilarious. It certainly added an authentic touch to our farm experience and gave everyone another memorable story to take home!

Over the past month, the children have been captivated by the remarkable story of Moses as we continued our journey through the Old Testament and met another of the Bible’s great heroes. Through storytelling, props, dramatic play, songs, videos and discussion, the children have been encouraged not only to listen to the story, but to wonder, predict, remember and participate. We began in Egypt, revisiting what we had learned about the Nile River and the pyramids before meeting baby Moses. Using a doll and basket, Jenny shared how Moses' mother hid him to keep him safe before placing him into a basket among the reeds, trusting God to protect him. The children examined the basket closely, convinced that it would sink, and eagerly predicted what might happen when Pharaoh's daughter discovered the baby. The following week, the children demonstrated excellent recall of the first part of the story and then went of to learn how Moses grew up, fled into the desert and encountered God through the miracle of the burning bush. They marvelled at the staff that turned into a snake and considered how frightened Moses must have felt when God asked him to return to Egypt and confront Pharaoh. With great enthusiasm, the children then acted out the famous exchange: "Let my people go!" Confident that Pharaoh would refuse, they joined in repeating Moses' words before discovering how God revealed His power through the ten plagues. Videos, props and discussion helped the children remember each event and its significance. Today, the next exciting chapter came to life as children became Israelites, Pharaoh's army and Moses himself, dramatically recreating the parting of the Red Sea. Supporting each retelling, Colin Buchanan's "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" became a much-loved soundtrack, with joyful choruses filling the room. This extended exploration has strengthened the children's listening, memory and comprehension skills while inviting them to reflect on themes of courage, trust, faithfulness and God's power to keep His promises.

Over the past couple of weeks, Chantelle has been taking the children on a remarkable journey through Roland Harvey's On the River. Like the mighty Murray River itself, this is not a story to be rushed. It is a long and detailed book, and we have enjoyed slowing down, revisiting pages and allowing the children time to absorb, question and wonder about all that they have discovered. Earlier this year, our "Where Is?" sessions introduced the children to the Murray River and its place within Australia. This book has provided a wonderful opportunity to revisit that learning and deepen the children's understanding. Beginning high in the Snowy Mountains and following the river all the way to where it meets the sea in South Australia, the children have explored the many people, places, plants and animals that depend on this incredible waterway. Along the way, they have encountered paddle steamers and dams, wetlands and scar trees, irrigation systems and the farms that rely on the river's water. They have learned about Aboriginal connections to the Murray River, the ways communities use and care for it, and some of the environmental challenges it faces today. Roland Harvey's detailed illustrations have sparked countless conversations as children eagerly searched for hidden details, made connections to previous learning and shared their own observations and ideas. Experiences like this remind us that storybooks are much more than entertainment. Every book we choose has a purpose. Some, like On the River, are selected to extend children's knowledge and build upon existing learning. Others stimulate discussion, introduce new concepts or encourage children to think differently about the world around them. Some are chosen for their rich language, vocabulary, rhyme and alliteration, while others inspire through beautiful illustrations. And yes, some are simply pure fun. We don't read "just any old thing". We carefully select books with multiple layers of meaning, knowing that each shared reading experience can nurture curiosity, language, understanding and a lifelong love of learning.

Today we talked about food. Well, actually we talk about food every day when children are enjoying their lunchboxes, but during planned learning time today we explored much more deeply what different foods do for our bodies. We used a large magnetic puzzle to build the different systems of the body, including bones, muscles and organs, and then discussed which foods help support each part. For example, we talked about how cheese helps build strong bones, chicken helps muscles grow, and fruit gives us energy to run, play and learn. This helped children make clear links between what they eat and how their bodies feel and function. Research into food literacy shows that children learn best when they are given concrete, meaningful explanations rather than general ideas like “this is healthy.” Young children do not naturally connect the concept of “healthy” with their choices, and are more influenced by taste, familiarity and enjoyment. When we explain what food actually does for the body, children are more engaged and better able to understand. Under the National Quality Framework (NQF), educators are expected to support children’s health and wellbeing by providing positive, age-appropriate guidance about nutrition. This includes helping children develop an understanding of balanced food choices and modelling healthy attitudes during everyday routines such as mealtimes. In simple terms, this means we don’t just sit alongside children at lunch—we actively support their learning about how food helps them grow, gain energy and stay well, in a calm and positive way that builds lifelong healthy habits. Using this approach during lunchbox time, by noticing foods and linking them to body benefits, supports children’s independence and understanding. By focusing on what food does rather than labelling it as simply “healthy,” we help children make informed, confident choices that support their growth, learning and wellbeing.

Jenny began telling a new Candle Story today. The Enormous Turnip provides a wonderful introduction to the value of teamwork. In the story, one person alone cannot pull the enormous turnip from the ground. One by one, family members and animals join in, each contributing what they can until, together, they achieve what none of them could have done alone. It is a simple but powerful reminder that every person has something valuable to offer and that working together can help us overcome challenges and reach shared goals. For young children, cooperative play is one of the greatest teachers of teamwork. Whether they are building a cubby, creating an imaginary world, negotiating the rules of a game or taking turns on the trampolines, children are learning important social skills. Through these experiences, they practise listening to others, sharing ideas and resources, taking turns, compromising, problem-solving and resolving disagreements. They discover that successful play often depends on considering the needs of others and working towards a common purpose. At kindy, we intentionally nurture these skills through our everyday routines. Teamwork is encouraged during tidy-up time as children work together to restore shared spaces. It is practised when setting tables for meals and caring for our chickens, guinea pigs, worm farm and vegetable garden. These shared responsibilities help children understand that everyone has a role to play in caring for their community. Books also provide opportunities to explore this concept. We regularly talk about characters who solve problems by helping one another and discuss how cooperation changes outcomes for the better. The ability to work well with others is a skill that will benefit children throughout their lives. Teamwork supports success at school, in future workplaces, within families and friendships, and in the wider community. By learning to cooperate, contribute and value the strengths of others, children are developing the foundations for becoming capable, compassionate and connected people.