Last week was an exciting and busy time in the ECC with our first 'Learning Comes Alive', Middle School learning buddies, and a visiting EAL consultant delivering workshops to staff and parents.

During 'Learning Comes Alive' parents were welcomed into our class communities to experience a typical morning of exploration and learning. Students proudly showed off their classrooms and were delighted to have parents participate in joint projects and circle time. Click here to see more photos.

'Learning Comes Alive' also provided parents a glimpse into how teachers intentionally design the learning environment to inspire student curiosity and to guide purposeful play. As students explore their environment, participate in learning centre activities, and engage with adults and peers, they are developing their socio-emotional, cognitive, physical and language foundations that will support them throughout their school years.

Following 'Learning Comes Alive,' parents went to the Mountainside Staffroom to listen to Natalie Tarr, a visiting EAL consultant from Australia. Natalie spoke about the process of learning an additional language, the amount of time needed to master the deeper features of a language, and the importance of maintaining the home language and culture.

"A strong sense of identity and positive wellbeing are vital to success in learning. Positive self-esteem comes from being acknowledged and appreciated for who and what you are. This includes acceptance and acknowledgement of race, ethnicity, religion, language and ability." (Siraj-Blatchfors and Clareke, 2000)

At the end of her presentation Natalie shared the following tips for parents;

• Maintain and extend the home language through conversations, reading books, joint writing, and family 'social' time.
• Explain concepts, celebrations, and other cultural aspects in the home language.
• Arrange play time and outside activities which promote first language and English.
• Enable children to have a 'balance' in life so they can enjoy their education and social life.

We hope all families have a relaxing and fun filled October break and we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, 9 October.

Kasey Burns
Director of Early Childhood Center