Kindy teachers are amazing. But do we reeaaally know what it’s like to run a successful day in the Kindy room? We chat to Carly Brown, Early Childhood Teacher at the new Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure in Buderim to find out what it takes to be a great Kindy teacher.
What is your background?
I became interested in education after I had my three children. I began my Early Childhood degree with my youngest being under a year old. I completed my degree and moved to Gladstone to take a position as a Prep teacher – which I have held for the last 5 years. During this time, I also completed my Graduate Certificate in Brain Based Education. During my time in Gladstone I have increased my passion for Early Childhood Education and the role it plays in the future success for students.
What do you love most about your role as a Kindy teacher?
The children; each one is unique in their understandings, personality and sense of wonder. Being a Kindy teacher means I am able to experience their world through their eyes and learn so much from them!
What do you like to do when you aren’t in the classroom?
Spending time with my family at our newly built house or reading books.
If you weren’t a Kindy teacher, what would you be?
An Archaeologist! I love history as you are discovering and learning new things. I think it would be amazing to be looking at artefacts from hundreds and thousands of years in the past!
What is your superpower?
I would say my superpower is that I am a holistic thinker. I look at the whole child and all of their needs in many different areas – physical, social, emotional, academic etc. I’m very interested in new research, learning new techniques/strategies to assist me with my job. I’m also a team player – I love sharing ideas and resources and I’m very approachable.
What is your never-fail technique for settling down an over-excited Kindy class?
I like to use music and singing to get the children’s attention and to settle them down. This would work in with my routines, so children know what to expect. I believe when children know the routine and what to expect, they will be more settled.
What program do you plan on delivering at Sanctuary Early Learning Adventure?
I plan on delivering a program that is play based. This style of program will suit the needs of the children as well as following their interests. If children are interested in a certain topic or idea, I would plan activities and opportunities around that for the children to engage in and explore. Children will also be engaging in early literacy and numeracy understandings through provocative play set ups, real-life experiences and mat time discussions. My program will also include plenty of outdoor play time, as there is an abundance of opportunities for playing and learning outside. Playing outside allows for plenty of running and exercise, which is also an important part of my program. We will also have a quiet time where children can rest their minds and bodies, as recharging ourselves is also important to our health and wellbeing. Overall our day will consist of many opportunities to discover new knowledge and develop our understandings about the world around us through play and investigation.
Why do you feel that play-based learning is so important today?
Children instinctively learn through play; this is how they discover their world and how things work. By engaging children in play-based learning, they will be more engaged and excited about learning and the knowledge that is attained will be more deeply embedded. I love the quote by Fred Rogers – “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” And the quote by Albert Einstein – “Play is the highest form of research.” This is my philosophy for Kindergarten learning.
What excites you most about joining the Sanctuary team and the new centre?
There is so much that I am excited about! I can’t wait until we are in the new purpose-built centre which is designed for allowing spontaneous play and various areas that children can learn in and explore.
I am a green-thumb so I will be very happy with our outdoor space which will allow us opportunities to move our bodies as well as take some time for doing gardening or Yoga.
Finally, I am really excited to meet all the children and their families that we will be caring for! I hope that we all become an amazing family learning and growing together!
What can parents expect from the new centre in Buderim?
Parents can expect that they will be very welcomed in my Kindergarten room and that I am approachable to talk to about their child. I believe in honest, open and respectful communication. I believe in involving parents in their child’s learning and the more we can talk about the children the more we can share and learn from each other.
Parents can also expect that their child will be treated with respect and dignity while at Kindy. I will be incorporating all children’s cultural backgrounds into the program, so all children will feel valued.
