Nina Marni beautiful little learners and their wonderful families. Welcome to term 3 .
The Power of Constructive Building
| Learning Intention 1: To challenge children’s construction skills by providing loose parts and STEM experiences. Why? STEM education in early childhood allows children to begin to learn and retain a knowledge base that they can build on as they get older. Loose Parts play encourages children to make, create, problem solve and hypothesize. Loose parts have no instructions and no predetermined rules. The concept of ‘loose parts’ supports children to become critical thinkers as they use these open- ended materials to plan their work and create whatever they want to without an adult telling them what should be done. It helps children to be imaginative. |
Loose parts give children the freedom to arrange and rearrange, essentially using the parts to create their own rules and designs, which allows the focus of the experience to be on the process rather than the product.
Fine motor skills are developed and strengthened when children grasp and pick up small objects
Beyond physical and cognitive growth, constructive play also encourages collaboration and communication. As children negotiate, share materials, and build together, they develop essential social-emotional skills that lay the foundation for successful relationships and teamwork.
At its best, constructive building transforms the learning space into a dynamic learning environment, where creativity thrives and every structure tells a story. By fostering curiosity and resilience, it equips young learners with the tools they need to explore and understand the world around them.
| Learning Intention 2: Children will begin to understand that Jesus is always with us and that we can talk to Him through prayer. They will be introduced to sacred symbols of our faith—the candle, the cross, and the Sign of the Cross—and develop a sense of reverence and belonging through storytelling, prayer, and song. Children engage respectfully in a shared prayer time. Children are introduced to and can begin to make the Sign of the Cross with support. Children show an emerging understanding that Jesus lived in a family and is present in their own lives. Children participate in simple prayer, storytelling, and song with quiet attentiveness. Sacred Gathering Children sit in a circle in the prayer space with soft music.Fosters calm, readiness, and community.(Come and join the circle) Candle Lighting Battery-operated candle is lit with reverent language. Symbolizes Jesus as the Light of the World.Sign of the CrossL eader models the Sign of the Cross with slow, clear gestures and encourages participation. Introduces children to a sacred gesture of prayer.Story telling (e.g., Jesus with His family, Jesus with children). Felt board or picture books used.Supports understanding of Jesus’ life, family, and closeness to children. Symbol: The Cross Wooden cross shown and explained simply.Encourages recognition of an important sacred symbol and its meaning. Prayer song response prayer followed by a familiar worship song with actions.Builds rhythm and routine in prayer life; encourages joy and expression. Blessing and Closure Final Sign of the Cross and quiet blessing from the teacher. Ends with a peaceful affirmation of Jesus’ presence and love. |
Nurturing Faith in the Early Years
Each morning we begin the day with a special moment of reflection and togetherness—our group prayer time. Children gather in a peaceful circle, setting the tone for a calm, joyful, and spiritually grounded day. To begin, we sing “Come and Join in the Circle”, inviting everyone into a shared space of belonging and reverence. A child then lights a battery-operated candle, symbolizing the presence of Jesus among us. With gentle guidance, the children make the Sign of the Cross, marking the start of our prayer. Together, we sing the Five Finger Prayer Song, a simple yet meaningful act of praise and worship. Through its verses, children learn to pray for themselves, others, and the world around them—building both spiritual awareness and empathy. Our prayer time concludes as it began: with the Sign of the Cross. A child is chosen to gently blow out the candle, bringing this sacred time to a close with care and intention.These quiet rituals help young hearts grow in faith, gratitude, and community.
During the week children participated in a series of community visits across our school’s shared spaces, including the MUDLA . These visits offered rich opportunities for hands-on learning, where children engaged with a variety of animals in a safe, nurturing environment. Beyond fostering curiosity and care for living creatures, these experiences helped build a deeper sense of connection—to each other, to the community, and to all of God’s creations. It was heartening to see the children’s enthusiasm and empathy grow as they explored, touched, and learned about the animals around them.
Moments like these strengthen the spirit of belonging and remind us of the powerful role that shared experiences play in shaping inclusive, compassionate learners.
This week has been filled with “specks of gold” — those small, meaningful moments that remind us of the joy and wonder in our early years of learning.
Our children expressed their creativity through open-ended play with play dough, exploring texture, form, and imaginative storytelling. These moments of tactile play not only supported fine motor development but also encouraged collaboration and communication.
We also took important steps in learning our own names — a milestone that fosters a sense of identity and belonging. Watching the children recognize, trace, and celebrate their names was a powerful reminder of how foundational these early experiences are.
Another highlight was our shared visit to the MUDLA (Mobile Urban Demonstration Learning Area). The children were thrilled to connect with animals and nature, strengthening their empathy and understanding of the world around them. These visits continue to build a strong sense of community and respect for all living things.
Each of these experiences, in their own unique way, has helped nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection — true specks of gold in our week.
Hope you all have a relaxing weekend
Ngaityalya