This page will describe to you what we have noticed Matilda’s strengths, interests and accomplishments have been during her time with us in the preschool room. In addition we have suggested some activities to build upon her learning and development. As much as us educators have an influence on Matilda we can confidently say that, “Children learn in the context of their families and families are the primary influence on children’s learning and development,” (Cohrssen, Church & Tayler, 2010, p.10). With this being said we want to work in partnership with you and we would like to give you some fun activities to try out at home where you see fit. Please do not hesitate to let us know how Matilda reacts to these. Myself and my colleague would like to create an environment of open-communication so let us know if there are any areas of development you would like us to work on with her in the classroom to ensure continuity of care! If either of you have any talents and skills of your own, please feel free to share them with us as your strengths are just as valuable to us in the development of Matilda’s learning. We believe that as Matilda’s family, you are the experts in her life. If you feel that we have missed anything in our assessments, please let us know as we value your decision making in this process. We strive to promote and respect the diversity of your unique family dynamics and circumstances. If there is anything that we have presented that does not align with your families values, culture, beliefs or backgrounds, do not hesitate to notify us.
We would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to collaborate with us for Matilda’s learning and development. I am sure that she will benefit greatly from this shared partnership.
As mentioned before, and I’m sure you notice it as well Matilda can always be found immersing herself in any creative activity. She has a strong artistic sense, she is always creating art pieces and is often all dressed up. She is often found painting, she is very knowledgeable about the colours and how they mix.
- A bit of a science experiment that can be done at home to tap into her communication and inquiry skills can be mixing different colours of food colouring or paint that you may find around the home. If not your local dollar store should have paint, We would recommend buying the primary colours: red, blue and yellow, which can make an array of different colours.
- For another activity if you don’t have any canvas the dollar store should have it as well if not white paper will work. You can place tape in different directions creating a pattern or with a purpose, for example, create the letter M in the middle of the page. Then let Matilda mix colours and paint over it. Let the paint dry and then carefully rip off the tape.
Matilda has a huge imagination and often dives into the character Elsa, from the movie Frozen. Matilda can always be found using her imagination by herself but without a doubt she loves involving her peers.
- You could take a trip to the local library and grab picture books about Frozen and take the opportunity to read. It can be used where there is free time during the day or as a bedtime ritual.
- An activity that can keep the body active and moving is by asking Matilda work on creating a dance routine to one of the Frozen songs. If she feels comfortable, ask her to present it to you and then record it, and voila, a memory that will last a lifetime!
- Create a dramatic centre in your home using bed linen and lights so that Matilda has an area in the home for dramatic expression of her favorite characters
A huge accomplishment and milestone for Matilda is her ability to go from tracing simple items to freehand drawing and painting. She went from holding a writing utensil with a fist to placing her fingers in a certain way in order to write and draw.
- Print out photos of the characters from Frozen and have Matilda colour, cut or trace out the images. For tracing place a printed image onto a window with some tape, then use a white paper on top and have her trace out the image behind it.
Reference
Cohrssen, C., Church, A., & Tayler, C . (2010) Victorian early years learning and
development framework evidence paper practice princle 1: family-centred
practice. Retrieved from https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/edcare/evifamilyc.pdf
M's Portfolio 