by Kirsty Fantini, Early Years Training & Consultancy
Educator Well-Being Challenge
So for those of you who participated in the March Challenge of “BEING STILL”… how did you go? What did you find challenging and rewarding? Have you noticed a difference? Love to hear about how you enjoyed “Being Still”… feel free to post comments / images on the Facebook post.
So our April EDUCATOR WELL-BEING CHALLENGE is… take a walk in the dark! This may be early morning or evening. Walking in the dark gives us a whole new perspective! It requires increased concentration hence we become very present in the moment! I do recommend headlamps or torch and hi-viz vest if you are on the road!
I recently walked 20km in the dark for Coastrek (fundraising for The Fred Hollows Foudation) and this was an extremely rewarding experience. The views along the coast were beautiful, walking as the sun set and moon came out, watching bats start to fly across the sky and the extreme darkness on the bush trails gave me a whole new walking experience!
I’d love to hear about your experience- please feel free to comment / post images in the Facebook feed https://www.facebook.com/EarlyYearsTraining/ with #montlymusingchallenge
Blog Piece – do we really have to make bunny stencils for Easter?
As we approach Easter you may find yourself or see other educators pulling out the cotton balls, pastel paints and paper and Easter themed stencils to create a wall of Bunny faces and decorated eggs! While some believe this to be fun, creative or meet family needs for “cute” creations, others may see this as an educator directed, limiting theme based activity.
I ask…. why do we do this? Knowing what we do know about the importance of creative exploration and expression, that we need to value children’s perspectives as the creator, that all children may experience Easter is different ways… why do many continue to bring out the stencils?
So instead, let’s explore the concept of Easter first with the children… what does it mean to their family? How do they celebate? What emotions do they feel? What memories they have from the previous year? Maybe we can start by listening to what children, families and educators value and this becomes our starting point. This may lead to sharing verbal / reading stories, inviting family including extended family to share their traditions, allowing children to create, using a variety of materials, their experiences and perspectives, writing letters / drawing pictures for family and friends and maybe even the Easter Bunny, looking at how others celebrate Easter in their community but also across the world. These types of experiences become engaging, meaningful and relevant to the child and family along with support inclusion and belonging.
Which image below do you prefer? How will you celebrate Easter this year?
Educator PD Specials
Book into any of the below online webinars and receive 15% off the price. All times are AEST/AEDT (NSW) time. Just email kirsty@earlyyearstraining.com.au and quote “MONTHLY MUSING 15% OFF” in your email!
The Planning Cycle – Let’s make it easy! – Tuesday 2nd April @ 6.30pm
Creative Arts & Brain Development – Monday 8th April @ 6.00pm
Creating a Meaningful Transition to School – Monday 6th May @ 6.30pm
Relfection Questions – explore these with your team
- Am I comfortable communicating with all families or are there some I avoid? I wonder why this is so?
- What strength do I bring to my team and is this utilised and celebrated?
Something Yummy for you!
Almond Berry Cake
I love this cake. It’s super easy to make, delicious warm or cold, full of whole foods and gluten, dairy & sugar free!
Ingredients:
- 2 C Almond Meal
- 2 eggs
- 2 C frozen berries (or fresh) I use blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
- 1-2 tsp cincamon
- pinch salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 C Almond milk or coconut yoghurt
- 1/2 C Honey
- 1/3 C coconut oil – melted
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 165-170 degrees
- Mix oil and honey
- Add eggs and milk (or yoghurt) – mix
- Add all dry ingredients and mix gently
- Add berries and stir through gently
- Place into muffin tray or rectangular cake tin (as per image below)
- Into oven for 25min – check with knife / skewer. If not cooked increase time in the oven by 5 min increments… until knife / skewer is clean. You really dont want to overcook this cake.
In the past I have made this and it fell apart as I used too many berries… so it became my berry crumble cake which is delish warm with yoghurt or icecream! Enjoy!!!
Thank you
Thank you for reading Monthly Musings. I hope you have enjoyed the APRIL edition! I wish you an amazing month and love to hear about how you nutured your well-being, celebrated Easter or if you tried the recipe. For ideas and feedback please feel free to email me – kirsty@earlyyearstraining.com.au or comment on the Facebook post
Kind regards, Kirsty
Early Years Training & Consultancy – RTO 91839 – https://earlyyearstraining.com.au
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