Storykate: an early childhood teacher and trainer, armed with ukulele and the gift to generate endless curriculum ideas.
Hello, fellow educators!👋🏻 I'm Kate, an experienced early childhood teacher and tertiary education instructor passionate about enriching early learning. With extensive experience across various roles—from nanny and storyteller to educational leader and early childhood trainer—I bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative teaching strategies to the table. At Storykate, I'm dedicated to sharing engaging educational practices through stories, puppet shows, action songs, ukulele, mind maps and circle games. Whether you're teaching young children or training future educators, you'll find invaluable resources here. I offer a treasure trove of free resources, creative ideas, and digital products designed to enhance your teaching methods and pedagogy. I helped hundreds of students and educators achieve their professional goals. 👇Why Subscribe? Subscribe to get your hands on exclusive content that blends storytelling, puppetry, and music with effective teaching techniques. These resources are perfect for keeping your programs lively and educational, especially during circle time. 🐞Join me at Storykate to explore new ways to jazz up your teaching style and connect with a community of like-minded early childhood educators. Let’s make learning fun and meaningful together!
Storykate Stories: October
Welcome to storytime with Kate!Hey Educators!
Kate's story from practiceI once worked with a child who had a hard start in life. He was anxious and on edge, so we let him move between two rooms to feel safe and know what to expect. He was four and a half, still in nappies, with sore skin that needed care. One day, he walked to the easel. I always set one up with jars of paint. He asked to paint. He chose a dark, muddy colour and covered the whole page. The paint was thick and it dripped. The next day he did the same with an even darker colour. He kept going like this each day, filling every inch. I didn’t stop him. I watched. Over time, he used less paint. The paper was no longer soaked. He still painted with care, but he left space. Then, near the end of the second week, he chose a light colour. It was a clear shift. I am not a psychologist, yet I believe the painting helped him show feelings that were too heavy to speak. That is the power of art. Quote of the month“A possum skin was an Aboriginal child’s first blanket. The underside of the skin was incised … with symbols that were significant to the clan group and connected the child spiritually to the land and the spirit ancestors.” Sue Atkinson, the author of Possum Skin pedagogy, an Aboriginal researcher and Elder.
A theory of the month: Possum Skin PedagogyToday's focus is not on one particular theorist, but the holistic and unique approach to learning: The First Nations perspectives. I have recently been learning more and more about traditional custodians' ways of learning and knowing, and it has changed my attitudes towards nature, sustainability and connection to the land. Possum Skin Pedagogy is deeply rooted in Indigenous Australian cultures, particularly among the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Victoria, Australia. This approach to teaching and learning draws extensively from Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and practices, providing a comprehensive framework that honours cultural continuity, connection to the land, and respect for community (Atkinson, 2002). The Possum Skin Pedagogy was created by Sue Atkinson Lopez. It is a framework for early childhood education that incorporates Aboriginal perspectives into childcare practices. It uses the possum skin cloak, a significant object in Aboriginal culture, as a metaphor for how knowledge is passed down through generations.
One of the key ideas is the connection to land/ country. For example, I am writing this post on the land of the Bunurong people and I am heartfully thankful to the Bunurong people, their Elders, past and present, for looking after this land. There are so many ways to apply this pedagogy, e.g. by adding visual language, learning on Country, learning about resilience, learning about native plants and survival. The philosophy is based on a few narratives. If you want to delve deeper, check this wonderful resource.
A song of the monthThis song is a gift from one of my NZ students, Courtney. It is about a little rabbit. It is in the Maori language, the First Nations language of New Zealand. Maths Resource of the month: Clay and native plants As a teacher, I used to be scared of clay. Clay is messy, unknown, it is hard to mould. As a mature educator, I love clay! Book of the month: CountryThe book of the month is Country by Aunty Fay Muir. I love Country because it gives young children a gentle and powerful way to understand that land is more than just a place, it is alive and part of who we are. The words are simple yet full of meaning, and the rhythm of the text makes it perfect for sharing aloud in a group. The illustrations are vibrant and layered with cultural symbolism, inviting children to notice patterns and connect with nature. Most of all, I value how this book brings an authentic First Nations voice into the classroom, helping children build respect, curiosity, and a sense of belonging.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RESOURCE, BOOK OR GAME FOR YOUNG CHILDREN? Thanks for reading, and I hope these resources spark new ideas in your classroom. Stay tuned for next month’s edition; remember, creativity is key to keeping the joy in learning! All the best,
P.S. Share the Love! Explore More on Storykate What would you like me to make articles and videos about? What resources would you like me to create? Send me a message via DM or FB, and I will try my best to make it. |
Storykate: an early childhood teacher and trainer, armed with ukulele and the gift to generate endless curriculum ideas.
Hello, fellow educators!👋🏻 I'm Kate, an experienced early childhood teacher and tertiary education instructor passionate about enriching early learning. With extensive experience across various roles—from nanny and storyteller to educational leader and early childhood trainer—I bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative teaching strategies to the table. At Storykate, I'm dedicated to sharing engaging educational practices through stories, puppet shows, action songs, ukulele, mind maps and circle games. Whether you're teaching young children or training future educators, you'll find invaluable resources here. I offer a treasure trove of free resources, creative ideas, and digital products designed to enhance your teaching methods and pedagogy. I helped hundreds of students and educators achieve their professional goals. 👇Why Subscribe? Subscribe to get your hands on exclusive content that blends storytelling, puppetry, and music with effective teaching techniques. These resources are perfect for keeping your programs lively and educational, especially during circle time. 🐞Join me at Storykate to explore new ways to jazz up your teaching style and connect with a community of like-minded early childhood educators. Let’s make learning fun and meaningful together!
Welcome to storytime with Kate! Happy Holidays! Hey Educators! Check out my channel Kate's story from practice Indoor Gym I went into the Toddler Room during the rain, and it was clear the children had so much bottled-up energy. There was screaming, there were behaviour issues, and you could see the educator was trying to run an activity. She even pulled out some sort of balancing cushion for them to walk on. But it was obvious that many of the children just wanted to jump and run. One girl...
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Welcome to storytime with Kate! Hey Educators! Check out my channel Kate's story from practice The other day, I had a small revelation. Two little children came to visit me by chance. One was about one and a half, the other almost four. One was neurotypical, the other with some neurodivergent traits…While they were exploring the house, the garden, and everything around, they finally discovered the piano. I invited them to play. Both sat down and started to press the keys with great...