Celebrating Play and Learning
Exploring Sand Play at Norwood!
In the Charlton Room (0-18 months), children are showing curiosity and increasing confidence as they explore their senses through sand play. They engage by feeling the sand’s texture between their fingers, patting it and experimenting with how it moves and changes. They use scoops, cups, and containers to transfer sand, developing their emerging coordination, fine motor skills, and hand strength.
These experiences provide valuable opportunities for children to strengthen their fine motor skills as they practise picking up tools, releasing objects, and using both hands together during play. These movements support the development of coordination and control needed for future skills including self-feeding, drawing, and manipulating everyday objects.
Sand play also provides opportunities for children to develop a deeper connection with the natural world and Country. Through exploring natural materials, children begin to build an understanding that they are connected to the environment around them. Educators support this connection by acknowledging the importance of caring for Country, sharing respectful language about the land, and encouraging children to explore natural elements through their senses.
Children have also been exploring cognitive concepts through filling and emptying containers, noticing differences between wet and dry sand, and investigating cause and effect as they pour, pat, and move the sand. Educators support these discoveries by sitting alongside children, using language to describe their actions, and responding to their interests with gentle encouragement and meaningful interactions.
From the Team at Norwood Education and Care Service
Adventures and Learning at Taroona OSHC!
During the school holidays, the children at Taroona enjoyed a program that they helped to create, with their ideas and interests guiding many of our play and learning experiences. It has been fantastic to see them making choices, working together, and building strong friendships along the way.
Our excursion to Zone 3 gave children the opportunity to encourage one another and work cooperatively through exciting games of laser tag. At Kingston Park, they became creative problem-solvers as they shared ideas and worked together to build a dam in the water play area, experimenting with different ways to keep the water flowing in different directions.
While at the service, children’s imaginations came to life as they built forts that became the perfect base for games such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and dodge ball. These experiences encouraged teamwork, communication, and plenty of laughter while strengthening their sense of belonging within the group.
To wrap up our vacation care program, we celebrated with a cosy winter-themed day filled with creative activities, seasonal fun, and comfortable relaxation spaces where children could unwind and enjoy quiet moments.
Thank you to all our families for another enjoyable school holiday program for everyone. We hope everyone has a fantastic start to Term 3, and we look forward to welcoming the children back for the September school holidays.
From the Team at Taroona OSHC Education and Care Service
