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Fables On The Mountain's May Newsletter

May 2021

Greetings

Hello everyone, welcome to our May newsletter! Within our childcare community, we’re very settled and enjoying life amongst our early learners! This month we’re digging into skills learnt outside the classroom environment. While early childhood education is an important piece of the puzzle for inquisitive young minds, development and growth is holistic. 

In conjunction with early childhood education comes a wide range of activities available in your local community that can enhance your child’s learning journey. 

 

Let’s explore the best options to make the most of this with your little one.

Topic of the month - Mastering life skills... outside the classroom

 

With unlimited advantages for society’s youngest members, early years education is held in high regard. Especially by those with children that have reaped - or are currently reaping - the benefits. Ranging immensely from social and emotional growth, to laying academic groundwork and providing support around developmental milestones. Plus fun! Let’s not forget fun!

But without undermining the essential place early childhood education holds in the lives of young children, it should be said that not everything can be taught at school. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day! Luckily, educational opportunities are all around us. There are activities galore to choose from within most local communities (*within reason… not every child will make the ski team, unless they’re lucky enough to live in a snowy area of the world!) So it’s worth some exploration to see which activities are out there, and exactly what their benefits are. Therefore ensuring your child gains invaluable skills that will stay with them for life.

Advantages of extracurricular activities

Children who have the opportunity to participate in a number of extracurricular activities outside of daycare or preschool - like sport, music or drama -  are open to a whole range of benefits. This can include -

Building skills 
In addition to building skills within a specific area, extracurricular activities are great for developing general skills - both academic and general life skills - like debating for public speaking or sport for teamwork. Balancing a number of activities can help improve time management skills. Perseverance teaches a child that if they stick at something and keep practicing, they’ll improve and finding an activity a child excels at can boost self-confidence.

Getting physical
Weekly activities offer children the chance to get outside in the fresh air and get some essential exercise. Keeping fit and ensuring things like gross motor skills are developed, is essential for holistic growth. It can also have the added benefit limiting time spent in front of a TV or screen.

New interests
While traditional education offers a wide range of learning areas, extracurricular activities allow children to explore an interest in depth. Perhaps even finding a completely new area of interest that they would never have been exposed to otherwise. 

 

Social opportunities
Being part of a team offers your child a sense of belonging and the opportunity to interact amongst children with similar interests. There’s the potential to build new friendships or social circles outside of daycare or preschool, and learning to make friends is a life skill that everyone needs.

Teamwork
Whether it’s a consolidated team, or a group like swim club where everyone competes separately but cheers their mates on, teamwork is a skill that is useful for all stages of life. Learning about encouragement, support, turn-taking, or diplomatically knowing when to step back if the situation requires it, teamwork in an extracurricular activity can be great practice for future situations at school or work.

 

Where do I start?

We’ve put together a selection of categories, outlining some of the many benefits of each. This way you can work out the skills you wish to prioritise in your family, and from there, choose the perfect extracurricular activity (or activities!) for your child to accomplish this!

Sport
Most sports teach children how to work together and be part of a team. Fine motor skills, patience and respect are also valuable lessons learnt through sports. 

Dancing
Focus on -
Perseverance
Fitness and being active
Confidence
Teamwork
Following directions

Circus Skills classes
Focus on -
Taking calculated risks - assessing risk and minimising danger
Pushing outside of comfort zones
Concentration
Teamwork
Perseverance

Rock climbing
Focus on -
Leadership
Fitness and being active
Safety for self and others
Teamwork and the ability trust in others 

 

Soccer
Focus on -
Teamwork
Agility
Fitness and being active
Team spirit and sportsmanship
Gross motor

BMX or mountain bike riding
Focus on -
Perseverance
Agility
Fitness and being active
Team spirit and sportsmanship

Martial arts / self defense
Focus on -
Courage, bravery and support
Social skills
Fitness and being active - body and mind
Confidence
Self-awareness

Swimming
Focus on -
Safety around water
Confidence
Perseverance
Fitness and being active
Team spirit and sportsmanship

Kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding
Focus on -
Safety around water
Agility
Fitness and being active
Confidence
Perseverance
Gross motor

Gymnastic / Baby gym
Focus on -
Fitness and being active
Gross motor
Following directions


Creativity
It’s amazing how many things you can learn from being creative. Creativity can lead to ideas, discoveries and is the essence of real play.

Pottery classes
Focus on -
Concentration
Following directions
Imagination and creativity
Calm & clarity - mindfulness
Fine motor - strengthening muscles in hands & wrists
Achievement
Confidence

 

Painting or drawing classes 
Focus on -
Concentration
Following directions
Imagination and creativity
Calm & clarity - mindfulness
Fine motor - strengthening muscles in hands & wrists
Achievement
Confidence

Literature / reading
Focus on -
Exploration
Imagination and creativity
Developing language
Communication

Reading to children is just the beginning of a magical world that awaits them when they discover this skill for themselves.

Music
Learning an instrument can teach children about long-term accomplishments that can manifest through dedication, hard work and practice.

 

Singing lessons
Focus on -
Using music as a way of managing anxiety
Channeling and recognising strong emotion
Developing emotional intelligence
Confidence
Teamwork - the option to join a choir or singing group

Learn an instrument
Focus on -
Using music as a way of managing anxiety
Confidence
Teamwork - the option to join the school band, local orchestra or similar

While a traditional teacher who specialises in an instrument will never be replaced, apps on the market are able to give children a great start and test out whether there’s an interest there. Simply Piano is a great example of this.

Language
Communicating globally is even easier to achieve if we could all learn a second language.

Learning a language
Focus on -
Communication
Enhance problem solving skills
Improve Verbal abilities
Improve Memory
Enhanced creative thinking

There are so many apps on the market to get your child started on a second language. Here’s an article that suggests some options.


Nature
There is so much we can learn about ourselves and the environment through exploration of the great outdoors

Wild play - forest schools / bush schools
Focus on -
Being in nature
Respect the environment
Taking calculated risks - assessing risk and minimising danger
Collaboration
Fitness and being active
Problem solving 

National parks hikes and walking trails
Focus on -
Being in nature
Fitness and being active
Respect the environment
Exploration
Endurance

 

Riding bikes & scooters
Focus on -
Balance
Fitness and being active
Gross motor

Science
An area that can open children up to the possibility of unexplored paths, new ways of thinking and a future in a tech-obsessed world.

STEM or STEAM clubs / Subscriptions
Science. Technology. Engineering. Mathematics (STEAM includes Art)
Focus on -
Wonder, excitement,
Commitment and dedication
Independent working - or great teamwork with an adult or friend
Develop an interest in coding and I.T skills with hands-on learning opportunities.
Spark an interest in an unexpected career path. 

Companies like Kiwi Co are excelling in this area. Monthly boxes delivered to your door for your child to explore.

Drama
Develop self confidence, giving a child courage to speak up in group situations and believe in themself.

Drama classes
Focus on -
Foster confidence
Leadership skills
Preparation for public speaking - whether this is in school or beyond

Theatre / acting
Focus on -
Foster confidence
Leadership skills

Local theatre companies often run programs for children where they have the opportunity to perform in productions. Enquire in your local area.

 

Educational Clubs
Teach children the importance of life and survival skills that aren’t always the focus in schools.

Scouts, girl guides or brownies
Focus on -
Fitness and being active
Explore nature and respect the environment
Set goals and be challenged
Social skills
Independence
Consideration for others
Problem solving
Craft and cooking tasks

Sea Scouts
Focus on -
Fitness and being active  - learn to sail
Developing confidence around water
Fitness and being active
Independence
Teamwork

Duke of Edinburgh award
Focus on -
Native wildlife and conservation skills
Leadership skills
Independence

 

Animals
Children learn compassion when caring for another.

 

Owning a pet
Focus on -
Compassion and kindness
Dedication and commitment
Longevity. Owning a pet is a long term commitment

Horse Riding 
Focus on -
Compassion
Commitment
Teamwork
Active lifestyle

Daily life skills
Life skills that guide children towards becoming valuable and productive members of society.

 

Cooking classes
Focus on -
Planning
Organising
Purchasing food
Preparing meals and snacks
Learning healthy eating habits
Following directions
Imagination and creativity
Teamwork
Safety and responsibility

Sewing or knitting
Focus on -
Developing fine motor skills
Patience
Following directions
Developing confidence
Imagination and creativity

Some families are lucky enough to have a grandparent or another family member who are already great bakers or knit the perfect cosy jumper each winter. If this is you, ask them if they’d be interested in teaching your child! It may even be something you’d be interested to learn too, making the activity something special for you and your child to share!

Play
Social skills learnt from a young age prepare children for school and beyond.

Mothers group
Focus on -
Social skills
Independence 

Organised through your local community centre after the birth of a child. Usually less focus on organised play, but being part of a group is great for a mother’s mental health, so worth enquiring about - or start your own with a few friends!

Playgroup
Focus on -
Social skills
Curiosity
Fine motor and gross motor skills honed through play
Independence
Learn constructively through play 

Playgroup Australia is a great place to start.


Let’s get cracking!
So, now you’re equipped with a list of ideas and benefits, where are you going to start? We suggest you write down your top five favourite activity ideas. They might not even be on this list. Maybe you played hockey or touch football as a child? Perhaps you came from an artistic family and screen-printing was a favourite past time. Either way, hopefully the idea has been firmly planted that there are incredible benefits to every activity. So do a little research - ask friends, search the internet, enquire at your local community centre - and see what might be on the cards for your little one. You might even have a future competitive flamenco dancer on your hands. Ole!

Childcare development

0-12 month development

Understanding the temperament of your newborn

Author: Aparna

Parents are ecstatic to have their very own bundle of joy in their arms. However, understanding your baby’s needs by just guessing is a difficult task. In particular, new moms and dads tend to struggle to understand their baby’s temperament and behaviour.

Just like adults, newborns have their own attitudes and temperaments. Initially, it can be difficult to understand your baby. However, as time passes, you will begin to understand your baby’s temperament and everything will start making sense.

 

Refer to the original article for ways to understand your newborn’s temperament. 

1-2 year development

Protecting Your Posture: What Parents Need to Know

Author: Vicky Yip

New parents are often unaware of parenting’s physical demands, especially how raising children can affect your posture. The constant strain of lifting, carrying, and even playing can cause repetitive stress injuries.

While babies are light and easy to hold, you are often forced to bend over a crib to pick up your child, leaving your back vulnerable to injury. Furthermore, once a child grows, parents often forget how heavy their little one has become.

Luckily, you can protect yourself by starting strengthening exercises, wearing a posture corrector, adjusting your office setup and/or visiting a chiropractor.

 

Refer to the original article to learn about how babies can affect posture.

2-3 year development

Healthy snacks for your family

Author: Cheryl Grant

Snacks are generally thought of as unhealthy treats that must be enjoyed in moderation. However, if you choose the right snacks, these treats can actually be an excellent way to enhance a healthy eating plan.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, healthy snacking can help to curb mindless snacking. Instead of reaching for a bag of greasy, sodium-packed chips in between meals, you might choose to have a handful of nuts instead.

Examples of healthy snacks include nut butter, seed butter, yoghurt, protein bars, some pre-packaged fish, cereal, and kale chips.

 

Read on for more about healthy snacks.

3-4 year development

Are our kids too clean?

Author: Maria Pyanov

With many new parents turning into germ and dirt fighting monsters, it can come as a shock that being too clean can be unhealthy. While parents clean to keep their children safe, excessive cleaning can have the opposite effect.

Recently, we have discovered the important role gut microbes have on our health. The understanding is that the more diverse our microbiome, the healthier we are likely to be. And seeing as one teaspoon of dirt contains more microbes than there are people on the planet, dirt may not be that bad after all.

On the other hand, research has shown that children exposed to bleach have an increased risk of infection, while children raised on farms are less likely to have allergies and asthma.

 

Read on here for an in-depth look at our kids’ health.

4-5 year development

Things to consider before permanently switching to homeschooling

Author: Nicholas Gamble

In 2020, Homeschooling registrations for children in Victoria grew by almost four times the rate of the previous year.

Some families who had children learning from home during lockdown discovered they enjoyed spending more time together and some children found they learnt better at home. Parents may have recognised academic or social challenges for their child at school and decided to continue with homeschooling.

However, even before COVID-19, homeschooling was on the rise. Parents are starting to consider homeschooling because they believe their child/children seem to do better at home. However, some children are not suited to homeschooling and parents need to weigh up what they think will be best.

 

Refer to the original article for a list of 5 things to consider before homeschooling your child.

Craft Corner

Never-ending emoji card

This fun and budget-friendly craft will live on long after you make it. It is a cool origami-like project that changes as you move it around. Simply flip the card and fold it and the emoji will change. All you need is cardboard, scissors, colours and a glue stick.

 

Read on for further instructions.

Frankenstein Stick Craft

Create a monster with nothing but popsicle sticks, glue as well as green, black and white paint. We recommend using recycled popsicle sticks rather than store-bought craft sticks. Doing so turns this craft into an educational activity.

 

Detailed instructions provided here.

DIY musical instruments

Make simple DIY musical instruments a try that only require a few simple craft supplies. You can make a range of instruments at home including a kazoo, paper plate drum or rainstick. While one can create fun humming music with a Popsicle stick kazoo, a paper plate drum will help your child develop a sense of rhythm.

 

Follow these steps to create DIY musical instruments

Paper Pinwheels (Printable template)

Pinwheels are incredibly easy to make and will entertain your little ones for hours. And with a printable pinwheel template, you can complete this craft in a matter of minutes. Although your children may struggle to make a pinwheel, they will thoroughly enjoy watching it blow in the wind.

 

Refer to the original article for exact directions and the printable template

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