Group time today

Well today William wanted to have his belated Show and Tell; and the problem with it being belated was that he accumulated many more items than he had the other day... but the children were attentive and he was rewarded with that. ( It constantly impresses me how at ease children are at getting up infront of their peers to talk).
as we are reinforcing mat rules, and the one in particular about if you are not ready to sit quietly and attentively on the mat you are able to got onto the verandah to talk or work in the room quietly. It seems that this finally sank in for one or two children today who exercised their right to go outside and talk. This meant that a disproportionate amount of children did this today. Usually this settles back to most of the children wanting to sit on the mat and listen to stories and songs, after they have exercised their sense of power and control... all good.
I attempted to read a story called Hooray for the Kafe Karaoke!... but unfortunately the children were far less excited about karaoke than me, but we will continue the story next week.

Group Time discussion

Today we discussed schools and when I attended school. I read " Once Upon an Ordinary school Day".
The children had several questions on my school days and talked about where they are going to school. We talked about co-educational schooling. So if that comes up in conversation thats why.
Feel free to comment here about what your child brings up at home about their happenings at kindergarten.

Friendships and play

Generally, since arriving back I have noticed that several of the boys have broadened their friendship groups and have become more inclusive of other, whilst I have noticed that several of the girls have tightened and closed the playing circles making it harder for others to join in.

We have also begun working or re working on notions of fairness especially within a collective group context; re-establishing group rules and the rights of others, predominantly for our group times and packing up times.

Looking forward whilst celebrating the present

Ok, so as we head towards term 3 lets reflect on our goals and ambitions for your child. What is the greatest of these and how can 'we'; as a team achieve them.

What has been some of the interests your child has shared with you over the holidays? By sharing some of these they may be extended and through this your child forms positive concepts that learning is fun, and 'following things through to a conclusion; if there is one'.

I am very much looking forward to being back with you all and continuing our partnership in learning.
See you all on Monday

taking a magic carpet ride over Cappadocia....wow!

Well it may not of been a magic carpet but taking a hot air baloon is equally magical I' sure.

This without a doubt was the highlight of my travels through Turkey.

The landscape is totally mind boggling, and to view it at dawn drifting silently above is truely something I will never forget.

Antalya

Totally loving Antalya, i am staying in the old city which is a mixture of totally run down otoman houses and newly restored ones, beautiful. And as you can see the beach is not bad either.

more ruins, this time, Perge and Aspendos; which has the most intact ampitheatre in the area.

the pic with the tall columns is the Temple of Apollo in Side.