Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl

Settling in

During the past two weeks we have welcomed many new children and families into the Pre-school. We acknowledge that this can be a very stressful and trying time for families and children settling into new environments.

The first few weeks when a child is settling into an early year’s setting is a time of crucial importance to their later happiness in the setting. All children are individuals and while some children will adjust easily to the new environment and new routines, others will take longer to feel comfortable and secure.

With this in mind, we can see that the children are starting to settle into their new space and becoming more familiar with each group’s routines and rules and are getting to know their teachers and friends. This takes time and we need to allow the children space to explore, discover and feel a sense of belonging and trust. We work hard in these first few weeks to establish connections and relationships with families and children in our care. We talk and explain things clearly to the children and there is repetition and familiarity from day to day. This allows children time to process and to feel safe and secure. Children who have a positive start to their new environment are more likely to feel comfortable, relaxed and valued and feel good about themselves as learners.

Separation anxiety is a healthy and protective emotion. It is the child’s way of saying “You are my safe base and I need to develop trust and confidence in alternate carers”.

Talking through the daily routine with visual schedules helps to reduce anxiety. Educators use this as a tool to familiarise children with what to expect each day, so that it is predictable, and they have time to process what is happening in their day and what is coming next. They can refer to the visual schedule during the day to reassure themselves and help them feel regulated.

Although parents may be feeling as anxious and emotional as your child, try to stay cheery and confident, as the children will pick up on your feelings of apprehension.

It is important to always let your child know when you are leaving. Tell your child you are going and will be back after sleep or rest time.

At Kornmehl it is our intention to provide children with the social skills they will carry for life. The daily greeting between an educator and a child is a special moment. It is a key transition of the day and one to be carried out with respect, care, and consistency. During morning meeting, we speak to the children about this routine and role model it. We also invite the children to come and practice.

The routine goes something like this…

As the children arrive, the children are encouraged to do “their jobs” e.g. lunch in the fridge, snack and drink bottle in the basket and trolley, backpack, and hat in their locker.

The child, along with their parent/carer, goes into the classrooms and finds one or both of their teachers for that day, to say good morning. Children are encouraged to maintain eye contact and say good morning with a warm smile. Educators will always greet children back warmly and assist in getting them settled with an activity of their choice. Please don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teachers for help in the mornings with separation.

Open communication between parents and educators is crucial. It is important to share information. Parents can give educators information about the child at drop off and in turn the educators can talk to the parents about the child’s experiences during the day when they pick up in the afternoon or through Educa documentation.

Our Educators have a vast amount of experience in helping children settle into the Pre-school and are aware of the difficulties that can emerge during this transition period. If your child is taking longer to settle in than you had expected and you still have concerns, discuss these with a member of staff. Together, you can agree on and put into place strategies to support your child during this time.

Parents are the safe base from which each child can branch out and explore the world, grow and learn and become socially and emotionally confident. Getting off to a good start will help support your child through this very important period in their lives. Remember that going to Pre-school is an important life experience filled with opportunities for growth, skill development and fun. Like any new experience there are challenges for both the child and the parents. We look forward to working collaboratively to make each child’s journey at the Kornmehl Emanuel Pre-school a warm, caring, nurturing and positive learning experience.

Please also know, that if your child is distressed during the day, we will call you straight away to pick your child up early. This will ensure that we can build the trust with your child and make the Pre-school experience meaningful and rewarding for everyone.

Chinese New Year

All three groups have begun learning about and celebrating Chinese New Year. We will be exploring this special celebration through the languages of drawing, painting, craft, stories and imaginative play.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which is associated with the element of wood. The combination of the animal sign (Dragon) and the element (Wood) designates the year as the Year of the Wood Dragon. The Lunar New Year will begin on Saturday 10 February 2024.

The Dragon is an auspicious symbol of strength and power. It is associated with good fortune, wisdom and success. Dragons are strong and independent figures, but they yearn for support and love.

We have learnt that red is a lucky colour and role play in the home-corner has been a huge success.

Parent Club and Class Parents

I am thrilled to have six wonderful mums who have volunteered to be Class Parents this year. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with them throughout the year to co-ordinate events, social get-togethers and to keep everyone informed.

Many thanks to the following Class Parents for 2024:

Dolphins – Lisa Greenberg (mum of Samara) and Sarah Robuck (mum of Edison)
Starfish – Melanie Yudasin (mum of Noah) and Jessica Sikar (mum of Amelia)
Seashells – Leia Lewis (mum of Ethan) and Chloe Brookman (mum of Quentin and August)

Dr Judith Locke – Parent Talk

Dr Judith Locke will be talking to parents on Wednesday 14 February 2024 from 7.45 pm – 8.45 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre at Emanuel School. We will be combining with parents from Mount Sinai ELC and Mount Zion ELC for this worthwhile event.

Judith will be talking on: Helping your Pre-school child become confident and capable.

Dr Judith Locke is a registered clinical psychologist, former teacher and school counsellor. She speaks to parents, teachers and students throughout Australia and internationally, on topics related to modern parenting, family wellbeing, and academic environments.

Judith is the author of two best-selling parenting books, The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student, the first of which has also been published in China. She has a clinical private practice and consults with families in Australia. Judith uses latest research and her clinical experience to show positive and effective strategies parents can use to help their children start their first year with confidence.

The session

Explores strategies parents can start to use now to build resilience in their child to cope with the typical ups and downs of school life.
Assists parents to cope better with children who tend to be sensitive or worry about things.
Gives ideas to manage tricky child behaviour.
Explores common parenting approaches and gives tips on fine-tuning strategies parents already use.

Please RSVP to Terry Aizen by Monday 12 February 2024.