Term 4 at St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten
Term 4 at St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten has been filled with meaningful learning opportunities, community connections, and exciting experiences. Guided by our play-based curriculum and commitment to fostering connections with others and exploring the natural world, our events often arise from significant calendar dates, family feedback, reflective discussions, and educator collaboration.
Here are highlights from some of the wonderful Term 4 activities across our six kindergarten groups:
Learning About Diwali at Kindergarten
At our kindergarten, we embrace opportunities for children to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures within our community. While we do not celebrate Diwali due to our Christian beliefs, we explored this important cultural event to help children understand and respect the traditions of others.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, was introduced through stories and hands-on activities. Educators read books like Dipal’s Diwali to explain how families come together, share meals, and celebrate, much like Christmas in Christian culture.
Some groups invited families to share cultural practices, such as preparing traditional foods enjoyed during Diwali. Children tasted pakora, samosas, roti, and mango lassi, broadening their understanding of cultural traditions. Creative activities included making diyas (small candle holders), creating rangoli patterns, dancing to music, exploring cultural attire, and experiencing henna art. Aryan’s mum generously shared pakoras and demonstrated henna designs, which were a big hit with the children.
These activities encouraged children to appreciate cultural diversity while fostering inclusivity. They supported learning outcomes from the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF):
- Outcome 5: Children develop communication skills by engaging with cultural symbols, stories, and creative arts.
- Outcome 2: Collaborating with families to understand cultural traditions informs practice and fosters equitable opportunities for all children.
Grandparents and Special Person Week
From November 18th to 22nd, children invited their grandparents or special friends to join them at kinder. This week provided a heartwarming opportunity for children to share their kinder experiences with loved ones.
Activities included reading stories, solving puzzles, creating artwork, and exploring the program together. The children’s pride and joy in sharing their world with their guests were evident.
These visits strengthened intergenerational bonds and fostered a sense of community. They supported the following VEYLDF outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Children develop a sense of identity through social and cultural engagement.
- Outcome 2: Children explore diverse heritages and traditions, building connections with their community.
- Outcome 3: Children experience emotional wellbeing through meaningful relationships.
Church Service
From December 5th to 9th, each group visited St Paul’s Church for a special service led by Angie and Gaye-Marie, church members who regularly visit for Bible study sessions. The children participated in retelling the story of Jesus’ birth, adding characters to the Nativity scene as the story unfolded.
Each group also performed a mini concert featuring songs like Away in a Manger and Jingle Bells. The children showcased their singing, dancing, and musical talents, including using Key Word Sign. At the end of the service, each child received a Bible storybook and a candy cane as a gift.
This event supported VEYLDF outcomes:
- Outcome 2: Children learn about shared traditions and values, deepening their connections with the wider community.
Christmas Hamper Appeal
Continuing our tradition of giving, the kindergarten participated in the Annual Christmas Hamper Appeal for asylum seekers and refugee families, organized by St Paul’s Lutheran Church. Families donated non-perishable food and household items, which were collected over four weeks and assembled into hampers by church members.
A heartwarming moment was when two children used their birthday money to purchase items for the hampers, demonstrating compassion and generosity.
This act of kindness supported VEYLDF outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Children learn about their interdependence with others and their ability to make a positive difference in their community.
Reflections on Term 4
These events highlight the vibrant learning experiences that occur at St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten. Whether exploring cultural diversity, strengthening family connections, or embracing the spirit of giving, our kindergarten fosters a sense of belonging, community, and respect for others.
