Finally, after an extended warm snap, a chill has finally arrived at preschool. The air is fresh, the leaves have fallen, the days are shorter and it is time for the icy, exhilarating breath of winter to blow any cobwebs away. There are many ways for our children to enjoy the outdoors during the cooler season. Bushwalks, excursions, park visits and enjoying our beautiful gardens are just a few adventures that will be undertaken during the cooler months. We have purchased new wet weather gear for the children in a variety of sizes so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors even on the rainiest of days. Children who are given regular opportunities to be outdoors develop a love, respect, and appreciation for nature that they carry with them as they grow. Nature's brilliance comes from it's simplicity and accessibility - clouds in the sky, autumn leaves, the drumming of rain and frost on the ground. Children encouraged to take the time to be still and observe in a nature are developing skills necessary to create mindfulness and balance in our fast-paced, technologically driven world. Nature based play and outside exploration provides opportunities for children to develop new skills and explore the world around them and a cool day should not hinder this exploration. Please remember to dress your child in layers as the weather cools, and a change of clothes and gumboots in their backpack ensures that even the muddiest or wettest of days can be enjoyed with abandon.
National Simultaneous Storytime is held annually and this year we participated at preschool on 22nd May. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum.
By participating we aimed to promote the value or reading and literacy, enjoy a wonderful book and engage some of our families to come to preschool and read the book with us. Each class at preschool enjoyed the book in a different manner. The Lilli Pilli children went to the park and read Alpacas with Maracas, the book for this year, whilst relaxing in nature.