Here we go around the coconut tree

Hi All - I was going to catch you up on the last few days but I've just spent a frantic half hour searching for my passport (found it).   Elle has written an update for you about playgroup on Thursday morning.

Thursday Morning was an exciting occasion! Kaye, Nerida and myself, alongside, Elder Johnny and Daniel have started a play group at Seaside Paama Community School for children aged between 0-3 years old. A play group is a vital part of any community as it provides the children an opportunity to play and interact with not only children their own age and younger but also their mums, dads and grandparents. At play group, the children are given the chance to develop important skills that are required for their transition into preschool. Skills including: fine motor manipulation, attention span and concentration, sitting at group and positively interacting with others etc. Kaye and Nerida did a wonderful job resourcing the playgroup back in Sydney so come Thursday we were raring and ready to go!

Daniel allowed us to use the new year 10 classroom at Seaside Paama for the playgroup on Thursday. We arrived at the room early to set up the resources in an aesthetically pleasing way that invited the children into the room to play. The resources that were displayed were divided into sections. One sections contained puppets and books, another had puzzles, a different section contained blocks, trucks, dinosaurs and little people and the last section had musical instruments. It was to begin at half past 8 and the clock ticked over to 9am and we were yet to see a child. "Vanuatu time" we all said! Sure enough, we waited a couple more minutes and we had close to 30 children attend the play group. Johnny had ventured out into the community to remind the families that playgroup had started.

We gave the children the chance to explore the new environment containing the resources with a little bit of free play. As we received some hesitancy from the children, unsure of this new environment and different faces, it allows the children to take their time in gradually coming into the play space and building their comfortability while simultaneously allowing us the opportunity to model appropriate play behaviour. We got down to their level and engaged them in many play experiences with the children alongside their accompanying adult. This gave the children the opportunity to hear the instructions in both English and Bislama. After 10 minutes, the children were walking around and exploring the different resources. They were sharing toys, taking turns and engaging wholeheartedly in each and every play experience. The favourite by far were the big toy trucks! After allowing the children time to play, we gathered them around in a circle for a group time. The children sat attentively as Kaye sung a few songs with hand actions that they were encouraged to imitate. Next, we said good morning to each other and the children. After the introductions, we had a story time. From this group time, we had some music and movement time with a large circle. Kaye instructed the children to stand and make a circle where we sung the song (Modified by Kaye) "Here we go around the coconut tree". Kaye added in a hygienic practice into the song including brushing teeth, washing face, tying shoes etc.

After music and movement time, Kaye and I brought out a craft activity and playdough. The children were given a mat and a container of play dough. We encouraged the children to label the colour of the play dough before giving them cutting materials to make shapes out of them. This activity was amazing! The children loved making balls out of the play dough and rolling them into various shapes. The playdough experience not only engaged the children but also the adults. They were making shapes, faces and animals alongside their child.

At the end of the session, we encouraged the children to pack away their toys and join us on the mat for a farewell song.

Initially, we found the children hesitant and unsure of both the new environment and the resources provided. By the end of the session, we saw lots of smiley children and their laughter rung through the air. The energy was one of openness, play and filled with happiness and harmony. The children left so excited and the adults left with the promise of returning next week.

Special thanks to the efforts of both Nerida and Kaye. They did an outstanding job purchasing a variety of resources to source the playgroup and Kaye did an amazing job engaging the children and creating a positive, meaningful play group session for them!

 Thanks Elle!