October highlights from ABC Kids Early Education

From ‘World Space Week’ and ‘National Grandparents Day’ to unofficial ‘Wombat Day’ and ‘Superhero Week’! This month is jam-packed with worthy events to provoke interest and follow-up in early education and care.

Although there’s a plethora of sparks for intentional teaching emerging from within your service and from the wider community, it’s important to reflect on each planning motivation.  What is influencing your curriculum decisions and how do those decisions align with the interests and experiences of children and families at your service?

It helps to know what quality resources are on hand should a particular short-term focus really take off and become the catalyst for a much deeper dive! 

ABC Kids Early Education can support teachers and educators with trustworthy media options to extend children’s understandings about themselves, their community, and the world.

Here are some options for your consideration this month:

Did project work emerge from World Space Week (4th – 10th)? If so, launch into our STEM Curriculum Area and discover short films and Early Education Notes about the infinite wonders of space. You can also explore why shooting stars fall from the sky and wonder about life in other galaxies with ABC Kids listen’s Imagine This!

Image: Play School. Astronauts Kiya and Jemima go on an out of this world adventure!

Are you acknowledging World Teachers Day (29th) and National Grandparents Day (31st)?  Perhaps you’d like to go Through the Windows and watch short films celebrating ‘Grandparents’ and ‘Teachers’ from the Play School series ‘Where I Belong’. You could follow up by creating DIY films using footage sent in by families at your setting.

World Mental Health Week (9th – 17th) has particular significance this year as we continue to navigate the social and emotional effects of the pandemic. Read about the importance of rituals for relaxation, rest and sleep in the ABC Kids Early Education Journal. Download the Early Education Pack to accompany ‘Moodies’. You could try incorporating some of the mindfulness and relaxation techniques as part of your rest time routine or share the document with families for use at home.

Visit ABC Kids Early Education regularly and keep up to date with video, audio and pdf resources aligned with your pedagogical priorities!