It has been wonderful to observe the educational growth occurring within our classrooms this term, along with the vibrant discussions, debates, and laughter resonating throughout Campbell House. 

Each day, our ELC children are provided with abundant and diverse opportunities to explore, investigate, and inquire, all of which they pursue with great enthusiasm and energy. 

Our youngest learners in the Waratah Room have been actively involved in a project involving travel and holidays. By sharing their holiday photos, the children have been engaging in conversations about their travel destinations. Using a world map, they have identified the places they have visited, both within Australia and abroad. The discussion has also centred on different means of transportation for travel. To enhance their learning, we have created an ‘airport’ in the dramatic play area of the classroom, allowing the children to delve deeper into the world of travel. 

Meanwhile, the children in the Blue Gum Room have been immersed in a study of seeds and plant growth. They have been exploring the various stages of seed development, from germination to the growth of roots and shoots. To observe this process, the children have initiated an experiment using snow pea seeds. This learning experience is interconnected with our broader Early Learning Centre gardening project, where the children are collaborating to develop the vegetable garden. In due course, the children will transplant their snow pea seedlings into the garden and continue to observe their growth and produce. 

In the Wattle Room, our older students have been actively engaging in a range of STEM activities. They have been researching different types of mushrooms, studying their appearance and growth patterns. Additionally, the children conducted an experiment involving pinecones. After soaking them in water overnight, they discovered that the pinecones closed up, and upon exposure to daylight, they reopened. The children also conducted a coding experiment using jars of coloured water at various heights, producing different musical sounds when tapped. By creating simple codes specifying the order and colour of jars to tap, the children composed musical songs. These hands-on experiences have provided the children with valuable opportunities to expand their understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts. 

The children in the Banksia Room have been immersed in an inquiry about the solar system. Through research using iPads and books, they have been learning about the characteristics of different planets. Using textile arts, they have constructed a solar system by crafting individual planets and arranging them in their respective orbits. This endeavour required extensive research and problem-solving skills to determine the size, scale, location, and distance of each planet in relation to the sun. As the children utilise research to access information, explore their ideas, and represent their thoughts, they grow into effective communicators and confident, engaged learners. 

It has been wonderful to observe these inquiries unfold within our Early Learning Centre classrooms and our children’s high level of engagement and valuable contributions to collaborative learning.