News
The Early Learning Centre recently became home to two frogs and a family of tadpoles.
The children were introduced to these new friends by ELC Co-teacher, Sue Donaghey. The frogs have inspired some great learning for the children and have proved to be a meaningful provocation for our inquiry into the life cycle of frogs.
The children’s curiosity led us to research relevant information, books, and pictures about frogs. The children were able to use text as a support for what they observed of the life cycle of a frog. This in turn, provided the children with the opportunity to use text to understand and relate to the real world through their learnings about frogs.
The children were able to get in close, using the magnifying glasses to appreciate all the details and features of both the frog and tadpoles. After observing and processing this new knowledge, the children were able to work collaboratively to create the sequence of the life cycle of the frog with picture cards.
One of the numerous benefits of having the frogs in the ELC is providing children with regular moments to revisit their learning, and other opportunities to make further connections and construct new understandings, all the while reflecting upon their prior knowledge and experience.
Taking care of animals develops a sense of responsibility and a sense of empathy and connection, whilst promoting language and social and emotional development. It has also given our children a chance to talk to their parents, siblings and the wider Fintona community about their friends the frogs!
Here are some of the children’s thoughts when observing the tadpoles and frogs.
Mia – It’s gone grey
Alex – It has baby eyes
Audrey – M It has tiny eyes
Aram – His chin is moving
Jalen – It looks big
Esme – He’s like a kangaroo because he jumps
