It has been wonderful to observe the sights and sounds of happy chatter and smiling faces filling the Early Learning Centre this week as the children returned to their classroom programs. The children were certainly excited to see their peers and educators.

Our focus as Educators for this first week back in the classroom has been on supporting the children to re-connect – with the educational program and current interests and inquiries, as well as with their peers and educators to re-establish these connections and relationships after a period of time apart. Additionally, the children need to re-familiarise themselves with classroom routines and expectations as they adjust to being back in this group learning environment. 

As the children adapt to the many new routines and procedures, they have demonstrated how resilient and capable they are by adjusting to these new requirements so remarkably well. We thank parents for your support in preparing your child for the transition back to school by sharing the social story prepared by the ELC Teachers. This ensured that the transition back to the ELC was seamless.

One of the aspects of the Early Learning Program that the children have missed the most is the social aspect. Young children are naturally drawn to one another and seek out the company of others. To have been through a period of time where they were not able to interact with their friends has been incredibly challenging for them. The children are therefore relishing the opportunity to spend time with their friends, engage in dramatic and imaginative play together, talk and laugh in small groups, play games in the playground, and work on small group collaborative projects together.

It is wonderful to see the children enjoying these social opportunities once again.