Principal’s Message
By Mrs Kath Boyd
Dear Parents and Caregivers, 新Xīn 年 nián 快 kuài 乐 . . . Gōng xǐ fā cái! (Mandarin) . . . Chuc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese) . . . sending all Reddam ELS Lindfield families best wishes for a prosperous Lunar New Year. Since Tuesday, our classrooms have been adorned in red & gold decorations and the teachers have been supporting children in developing their understanding of other’s cultures and beliefs. The EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) maintains that ‘celebrating who we are and how we connect with those around us is fundamental to promoting children’s sense of belonging and supporting their holistic development.’ Pictured above: 1E Chinese New Year Provocation display. The Tiger centrepiece was created by the very talented Mr. Kai. “Rituals set everyone up for success, promoting active and engaged children, increasing their independence, and fostering a sense of community.” (Loader & Christie) At Reddam ELS Lindfield, young children experience many routines including mealtimes, sleep and rest times, nappy changing and toileting, transitioning from one part of the day to another. Routines are important for children as they provide them with a sense of security and stability. However, the Teaching Teams aim to ensure that these experiences are not rushed so that the children can get back to learning. Everything we do is an opportunity for learning. A traditional definition of ritual is that it is a series of actions that are always performed in the same way. However, Dr. Toni Christie’s definition is rather different: “Rituals are a powerful way of using gestures, actions and behaviour to bring positive energy and intention to our daily rhythms. Within the early childhood setting, rituals assist us in creating a healthy emotional environment, making them a purposeful and enduring aspect of each day.” The difference between a routine and a ritual is the attitude behind the action. While routines are actions that need to be undertaken, rituals are more meaningful practices that have a real sense of purpose. Applying mindfulness to daily routines is a great way to create rituals. Before our Educators change a routine to a ritual, they firstly reflect on: * How they view the capability of the child/children in their class. * What is working well. * What routines could be changed. * Where they could support independence and choice in daily routines. * What they would like to achieve from the experience as a teacher and for the children. * How they can promote a sense of calmness within an experience.