RATHFARNHAM
St Peter’s Early Learning Centre Throughout the latter stage of the year, the ELC children had one particular area of interest; the Nativity. Whilst it may have seemed strange to see the children engaging with the nativity scene, walking Three Kings on camels across a desert made from sand and clay in the Kinder room – in October, the knowledge and understanding the children developed was authentic. “The Kings went to see Baby Jesus. They needed to give Baby Jesus presents.” - Chiara “The shepherds and the sheep had to go to the baby because he was born. The baby was Jesus.” - Emma This interest in the Nativity was embedded within the program, engaging the children in the many ‘languages’ of learning within their play-based environment. To engage the children in this story and ensure that the information was received, the children followed their own interests, such as clay, drawing, painting, making, block building, dramatic play, even a little papiermâché. We wanted to ensure the children were given the time to visit and revisit these experiences to develop concrete understanding in the liturgical language and concepts. Throughout this time of ‘play’, our educators were close by, guiding, observing and documenting, finally coming together to share this work with our families and ELC community for our End of Year Celebration. These films focused on the children’s voice and understandings of the real Christmas story and was 30
We wanted to ensure the children were given the time to visit and revisit these experiences to develop concrete understanding in the liturgical language and concepts.
