Our Pedagogy

Since 2020, Denzil Don Kindergarten’s focus has been on wellbeing.

Wellbeing is the right to good physical and mental health, a sense of inclusion and safety, and to feel purposeful and empowered.

We do this under the idea of place: Brunswick West, and the way the physical space and people make it unique.

We have identified three areas of focus we believe will support the wellbeing of children, families, staff and the Denzil Don community:

                   

We will focus on these areas in our curriculum, weaving them into play-based learning that follows the interests and needs of the children.  

Our Curriculum

What is a play-based emergent curriculum?

At Denzil Don Kindergarten we offer a play-based emergent curriculum: a constantly evolving curriculum based on the needs, strengths and interests of the children attending. This ensures the program is dynamic and flexible — with each group unique in its focus.

Play-based learning provides children with opportunities to:

• Hypothesize by developing independent theories and then testing them.
• Problem solve both cognitively, socially and emotionally.
• Imagine and create.
• Take considered and reasonable risks. 
• Develop resilience and persistence.
• Develop a positive sense of self.
• Use complex verbal and non-verbal language to communicate, extend and guide their ideas.
• Make mistakes.

Our play-based program provides a fun stimulating environment for children to learn about the world around them, in their own time and at their own pace.

Our educators perform a pivotal role in scaffolding learning at kindergarten, remaining responsive to the children’s interests and creating meaningful learning experiences based on those interests. By observing, extending, and critically reflecting on the learning in the classroom we ensure the interests of all children are considered, creating an inclusive and stimulating environment.

You can read more about the benefits of play-based learning here.