The preschoolers showed a strong interest in Australia Day and this prompted our group interest project on all things Australian.
We began our project by looking at our world globe to discover where Australia is located in relation to the rest of the world. From there, we looked at the attributes of the Australian flag (colour, shapes and design) and the preschoolers created the flag in collage form using both fine motor and problem solving skills. Along the way we learnt and practised our Australian national anthem each day, as well as learning a variety of new Australian songs such as ‘Tie me kangaroo down’, ‘Old Man Emu’, ‘Give me a home among the gum trees’ and ‘Wallabies and Wombats.’
As Australia Day approached, the preschoolers were asked ‘How do we celebrate Australia Day ?’ and they responded by creating drawings ranging from barbeques and picnics to swimming and outings with their families. As barbeques and picnics were high on the list, we created our own barbeque and picnic area in the room. Complete with picnic rug, wooden barbeque, tongs, utensils and plastic food, this area helped to encourage co-operative and socio-dramatic play.
After the Australia Day holiday, the preschoolers recreated their own individual ‘Australia Day’ experience either in drawing or play dough form.
In order to continue our Australian theme and to extend learning, the preschoolers began to investigate the settlement of Australia including Captain Cook, The Endeavour and The First Fleet. They created tall ships using a variety of collage materials; played with wooden ships in dramatic play area; created old world exploration maps and ships wheels.
Whilst reading a book on the settlement of Australia, the preschoolers were intrigued by the figures that roamed the land and this drew our interest towards Australia and its indigenous peoples. The preschoolers first became interested in Aboriginal art and completed their own inspired dot paintings using a cotton bud to practise fine motor control and manipulation. This activity led to face and body painting, dance to traditional Aboriginal music, moving like animals and free boomerang painting in earth tones. We completed our topic by creating the Aboriginal flag which allowed us to explore shape and colour concepts as well as fractions.
How this learning experience links to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF):
Outcome 2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation
Outcome 2.2 Children respond to diversity with respect
Outcome 4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity
Outcome 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media
