Naming animals - 18th July 2022
Spontaneous:This morning the Joeys had a free play in the Possums yard and came to Joeys yard for 11:15 group time. I brought some animals from the store room. We sang some songs and I asked the children to pick up an animal and name it. Jack had a turn first. He picked up the zebra and said "zebra". I appreciated Jack. Pilar picked up an elephant and said "elephant". Elya chose a frog and showed me. When I said "frog", she repeated "frog ". I told Elya "Elya look, the frog colour matches with your jumper colour. She looked at her jumper and smiled at me. Aladeng picked up a dog and said "doggy". Kavith chose a giraffe and didn't want to show me . When I asked him what animal it was he put his head down. When I said " Kavith say giraffe ". He. Still put his head down and said nothing. I tried few times but Kavith didn't respond. Hunter had his turn next. He picked up a rhinoceros. He showed it to me happily. When I said "rhino " he repeated "rhino ". Sean picked up a lioness and I helped him and said "lioness". He repeated happily "lioness ". Tilly picked up a cheetah and when I said "cheetah" she looked at me and gave a beautiful smile. Alpha (educator) showed the animals to baby Ezekaiah and baby Autumn. When they were playing with the animals Oakley took the animals box to play. The children sang some more songs and went to wash hands for lunch.
Link to Pedagogical Documentation
EYLF Outcomes
Outcomes: 5: Children are effective communicators Elements: 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes. Children were able to identify and name the animals they found from the box.
Theorists
This learning experience can be linked to Piaget's theories. He believed that children are active learners and that the children must be given opportunities to explore, discover and experiment. These principals underpin all cognitive development.
Interpretation
Critical reflection: I gave children the choice to choose the animals they want. I encouraged all children to participate in this activity. When children were not able to identify the animal they choose I was able to do intentional teaching and said the the animal names like "cheetah, rhinoceros" and the children were able to repeat it. Follow Up: Learning more about animals.
