GAP
Practical guidance, family resources and everyday moments connected to German-language early learning through GAP Playschool.
These posts help families understand the rhythm, routines, culture and community around early childhood learning at Spielwelt.
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Behind Every Great Organisation
Behind every great organisation, there is an even greater committee. And driving our great committee this year is a really great president. The year 2021 is Tobias’ second year on the Spielwelt committee, and he’s guiding us all well through another year of covid, policy updates, capital improvements, special events like the lantern walk, considering…
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What do PhysioTherapists Do?
The Thursday/Friday GAP class were fascinated to learn about what physiotherapists do. We were lucky enough to have the wonderful physiotherapist Lucy Joske visit us. She specialises in paediatric physiotherapy as well as other types. We learned that physiotherapists can help us when our bodies don’t work as well as they could. They help children…
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Dr Barks visits GAP
The Thursday/Friday GAP class were excited to welcome Dr Brandon Barks and his wonderful assistants to our morning circle today. Dr Barks is an anaesthetist and came in to talk to the children about what doctors, specifically anaesthetists, can do for people when they are in pain in the hospital. Dr Barks was wearing his…
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A New Look for our Hall
The Turner Scout Hall in Haig Park is undergoing a transformation. As the home of the German Australian Pfadfinder Scout group and the German Australian Playschool and playgroups, it is only fitting that the building’s new paint job gives the hall a European look. Our Fachwerkhaus (half-timbered house) with shutters and stone foundations is also…
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Flea the Dog Visits GAP
Even the children who started off feeling a little bit hesitant about dogs soon warmed to our recent little visitor, Flea the Dog. The class heard about what dogs like to eat. It turns out that apart from kibbles, Flea likes popcorn and cheese, but he’s not allowed to have those things very often. We…
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Calypso Visits GAP
The Monday/Tuesday GAP class have been studying animals, and we were delighted to welcome a couple of our families’ pets. First up was Calypso, a friendly bearded dragon belonging to one of our GAP families. The children got to pat Calypso (very gently) and hear about what bearded dragons like to eat, how they stay…
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Indigenous Studies
As part of her pedagogical studies, Birgit prepared and delivered an interesting lesson on Indigenous culture. Birgit explored (and simultaneously translated) a wonderful book called The Magic Boomerang at story time with us. We also enjoyed creating indigenous-art-inspired handprint paintings which turned out beautifully.
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Caring for the Environment in Space
The MondayTuesday GAP class had a fascinating presentation by Dr Doris Grosse today. Dr Grosse brought in a satellite to show us, and using a model rocket she built, she showed us how it launched into space. What was most surprising, however, was how much space junk was left behind in the process. Dr Grosse…
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What Makes Spielwelt Special
The committee has been discussing “who is Spielwelt and what makes it so special?” These are some of our answers: German language We are welcoming Teachers spending time with children rather than admin during the day Teachers having the time to show care and love to each child and family We look at the family…
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Frogwatch Visit 2021
The Monday/Tuesday GAP children enjoyed a visit from Anke Maria, the wonderful Frogwatch ACT coordinator. We learned lots about frogs: what they eat, what they like (insects) and what they don’t like (pollution), where they like to live and the importance of taking care of habitat, and their life cycle. Then we got to go…