Amazing GRACE Family Day Care

Learning Reflection – Mathematics (Addition & Problem Solving)

The child engaged in a hands-on numeracy activity using counters and number cards to explore addition. By physically grouping and counting objects, the child demonstrated an understanding of combining quantities and representing numbers in different ways.

Writing the answers alongside the visual model supported the connection between concrete materials and abstract symbols.
This experience encouraged problem-solving, number recognition, and the development of early mathematical strategies.

The child showed persistence and independence while checking and recording answers, strengthening confidence in numeracy skills.

WA Curriculum Links

Year 1 – Mathematics
Represent and solve simple addition problems using objects and drawings (ACMNA015)
Develop confidence with number combinations and counting strategies
Connect number names, numerals, and quantities

Year 3 – Mathematics

Represent and solve problems involving addition using efficient strategies (ACMNA054)
Recall and apply basic number facts to support calculations

Model and represent number problems using materials and symbols

General Capabilities
Numeracy: Applying mathematical understanding in practical ways
Critical & Creative Thinking: Problem-solving and reasoning
Personal & Social Capability: Persistence and independent learning

🐑 Landsdale Farm Learning

Children engaged in hands-on animal feeding, building confidence and curiosity
Demonstrated gentle and respectful behaviour when interacting with the alpaca
Explored animal needs (food, water, shelter, care)

Developed empathy and responsibility through real-life experiences

Practised turn-taking and listening to instructions for safety

WA Curriculum Links
🌱 Year 1
Science: Living things have basic needs
Health: Safe and respectful interactions
English: Sharing ideas and observations

🌿 Year 3
Science: Living things depend on each other
HASS: Farms support human needs
Health: Safety in different environments
English: Reflecting and discussing experiences

Reflection
Encouraging care, confidence, and connection with animals through meaningful, real-world learning 🐑

🍎 Exploring the Apple Farm

During our visit to the apple farm, the children immersed themselves in a hands-on learning experience, connecting with nature and understanding where food comes from.

The children observed rows of apple trees, noticing the way they were carefully planted and protected with nets.

They discussed why the nets are used, sharing ideas about protecting the fruit from birds and weather. With curiosity and excitement, they watched as apples were picked directly from the trees, making meaningful connections between the food they eat at home and how it is grown.

This experience encouraged inquiry-based learning, as children asked questions such as “Why are some apples on the ground?” and “How do apples grow?” They explored textures, colours, and sizes, using their senses to deepen understanding.

The children also demonstrated respect for the environment, learning to pick carefully, avoid waste, and appreciate the effort involved in growing food. Socially, they worked together, took turns, and followed safety instructions during the farm exploration.

WA Curriculum Links
🌱 Year 1
Science (Biological Sciences)
Living things have basic needs, including food and water.
→ Children explored how apple trees grow and what they need to produce fruit.
Technologies (Design & Technologies)
Explore how food is produced and where it comes from.
→ Direct experience of harvesting apples from trees.
Mathematics
Sort and classify objects based on features.
→ Comparing apples by size, colour, and condition (on tree vs on ground).
English (Speaking & Listening)
→ Sharing observations, asking questions, and engaging in discussions.

🌿 Year 3
Science (Biological Sciences)
Living things grow, change, and depend on their environment.
→ Understanding the growth cycle of apple trees and environmental factors.
Technologies (Design & Technologies – Food & Fibre Production)
Investigate how food is produced sustainably.
→ Learning about farming practices, protection methods (nets), and harvesting.
Mathematics
Data collection and representation.
→ Counting apples, comparing quantities, and discussing differences.
Humanities & Social Sciences (Geography)
The importance of environments in meeting human needs.
→ Recognising farms as essential for food production.

This experience supported children in developing a deeper appreciation for food origins, sustainability, and care for the environment.

By engaging directly with the apple farm, learning became meaningful, sensory, and connected to real life—building lifelong awareness and respect for nature and the processes that nourish us.

🧊🔬 Science in Action – Melting Ice Experiment 🔬🧊

Today, the children explored how different substances affect the melting of ice in a fun and engaging way!

We froze LEGO figurines inside blocks of ice and then tested different materials — salt, sugar, and cinnamon — to see which one would melt the ice the fastest.

Before starting, the children made their own predictions 💭
They observed closely, discussed their ideas, and compared results as the experiment unfolded.

✨ What we discovered:
Salt melted the ice the fastest!

This hands-on experiment supported:
✔️ Scientific thinking and making predictions
✔️ Observing and comparing results
✔️ Understanding cause and effect
✔️ Building curiosity and inquiry skills

🌱 Western Australian Curriculum Links

Science Inquiry Skills

- ACSIS024 / ACSIS038 – Participate in guided investigations and make observations
- ACSIS037 – Respond to questions and make predictions

Science Understanding

- ACSSU003 – Explore how everyday materials can change (e.g., ice melting)

Moments like this spark curiosity and help children see science come to life in meaningful, memorable ways 💛

🎨🌿 Creative Exploration with Nature 🌿🎨

Today, the children engaged in a beautiful, hands-on art experience using natural materials. They explored painting on stones, expressing their creativity through colours, patterns, and imaginative designs.

This activity supported:
✔️ Fine motor skills through painting and detailed work
✔️ Creativity and self-expression
✔️ Sensory exploration using natural textures
✔️ Focus and persistence while completing their designs

🌱 Western Australian Curriculum Links

The Arts – Visual Arts

- ACAVAM107 / ACAVAM108 – Use visual conventions and techniques to create artworks using different materials and processes.

Science – Understanding

- ACSSU002 / ACSSU003 – Explore and observe natural materials and their properties (e.g., rocks, textures, surfaces).

General Capabilities

- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Personal and Social Capability

Through simple, meaningful experiences like this, the children connect creativity with the natural world while building important developmental skills 💛

🧠✨ Hands-On Math Learning in Action ✨🧠

Today, the children were fully engaged in exploring addition using linking cubes and number cards. By building and combining groups, they were able to see how numbers come together — turning abstract math into something real and meaningful.

Through this activity, the children practiced:
✔️ Counting and number recognition
✔️ Solving simple addition problems
✔️ Checking their own work using hands-on materials

What we love most is the focus and confidence they showed while working through each problem at their own pace 💛

At our homeschool Family Day Care, we believe learning should be interactive, practical, and tailored to each child — meeting them where they are and building strong foundations for life.

HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT
Educational Partner for Primary Years

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✨ A Structured Space.

✨ Small Groups.

✨ Your Curriculum. Your Authority.

I support homeschooling families by providing a warm, professional learning environment where primary-aged children can explore, create, and connect — while you remain fully in charge of curriculum and legal homeschooling responsibility.

This is not a school.
This is not a replacement for parents.
This is partnership.

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🌱 What Your Child Will Experience

📚 Prepared learning areas (Literacy, Maths, Science, Arts)
🎨 Project-based & thematic learning days
🧠 Individualised support aligned to your scope & sequence
📖 Visual portfolios & floor books documenting learning
🌏 Excursions & real-world exploration
💛 Support for neurodivergent learners
🌎 Bilingual environment (Spanish/English)
🏡 Nurturing Family Day Care setting
💰 CCS available for eligible families

Primary school-aged children only.

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🤝 How We Work

✔️ Initial interview to understand your homeschooling style
✔️ Clear agreement: You lead the curriculum, I facilitate learning
✔️ Informal observations & quarterly family meetings

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Created by a homeschooling parent

Diploma Qualified | TAE Qualified | Background in Child & Clinical Psychology

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🌿 Supporting homeschooling — without compromising flexibility or parental autonomy.

Limited places available.
Contact me to arrange a visit.

🎨💦 Water Balloon Swing Painting at Our FDC! 💦🎨

Today we explored creativity in motion using a swing (pendulum) painting technique with water balloons!

The children filled small balloons with paint, placed paper underneath our swing setup, and watched as the balloons moved back and forth — creating beautiful flowing lines and unpredictable patterns.

The excitement was incredible as they experimented with speed, direction, and colour mixing.

This technique is inspired by the action painting style of Jackson Po***ck, who was known for drip painting and creating art through movement and energy rather than careful brush strokes.

Our version used gravity and motion to explore similar abstract effects in a child-friendly, hands-on way.

✨ What the children explored:

Cause and effect (What happens if we push harder?)

Gravity and motion

Colour blending

Risk-taking and creative expression

Patience and turn-taking

🌊 The children noticed how:

Faster pushes made longer paint lines
Slower swings created layered patterns
Colours mixed into new shades when they overlapped

📚 Western Australian Curriculum Links
Science (Physical Sciences)

Exploring forces and movement (push, pull, gravity).

Mathematics

Observing patterns and lines.
Positional language (back and forth, over, under).

The Arts (Visual Arts)

Experimenting with different materials and techniques.

Creating abstract artworks inspired by artist techniques.

English

Oral language development through predicting, describing and reflecting.

This experience supported creativity, inquiry, and joyful exploration — proving again that learning happens beautifully when children can move, experiment and discover 💛

🐞 Ladybug Exploration at Our Family Day Care 🐞

Today’s learning was completely child-led after we discovered a tiny ladybug in our outdoor area. What started as a simple moment of curiosity turned into a beautiful inquiry-based experience 🌿

The children gathered around to observe closely and began asking questions:

✨ How many legs does it have?
✨ Why does it have spots?
✨ What does it eat?

We explored the parts of a ladybug’s body — head, thorax, abdomen, wings, antennae and six legs — and learned that ladybugs love to eat aphids (tiny garden pests!).

The children were fascinated to discover that ladybugs are actually helpful insects for our gardens 🪴

After our investigation, we extended the learning through an art and drawing session. The children carefully created their own ladybugs, focusing on symmetry, counting spots, and adding details to represent body parts. 🎨✏️

🌱 Western Australian Curriculum Links
Science (Biological Sciences)

Living things have basic needs and external features (ACSSU002 / ACSSU017).

Exploring how living things live in different places and depend on each other.

Mathematics
Counting and one-to-one correspondence (counting spots).

Recognising patterns and symmetry.
English

Developing oral language through questioning and discussion.

Building vocabulary (insect, antennae, wings, habitat, predator).

The Arts (Visual Arts)

Using drawing and mixed media to represent observations.

Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners.

Moments like these remind us that the best learning happens when we follow children’s natural curiosity 💛

Today our Family Day Care enjoyed a beautiful outdoor excursion filled with creativity, nature, and calm connection.

We began with a peaceful nature walk, collecting sticks, leaves, and other natural treasures for our craft time. The children loved exploring the environment, noticing textures, colours, and shapes as they gathered their materials.

Back on our picnic mat, we shared fresh fruit, looked through a picture book of Christmas card ideas, and set up our craft trays. The children used their collected items to create, sort, and experiment—following their own curiosity while enjoying the sunshine.

Outdoor learning like this helps children:
✨ Develop creativity and fine motor skills through hands-on crafts
✨ Build independence by choosing their own materials
✨ Strengthen social and communication skills
✨ Connect deeply with nature and sensory play

A slow, joyful morning full of movement, exploration, and creativity. 💛🌱

Today we explored the human body through a hands-on life-size body tracing activity.
The children traced around their bodies, then used a diagram to locate and draw simple internal organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines. This activity helped them understand how the body works and where major organs are found. They practised fine motor skills, visual matching, and worked together while discussing what each organ does.

WA Curriculum Links (Years 1–2):

Science – Biological Sciences:
Explores how living things have basic needs and how the human body has different parts that work together for a purpose.

Science Inquiry Skills:
Making observations, using diagrams, and recording findings in a guided activity.

Health and Physical Education – Personal Health:
Identifying body parts and understanding how the body functions to stay healthy.

Design & Technologies:
Using materials and following steps to create a labelled model.