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The Value of Play

 

Teaching takes place in a creative, hands-on manner. The learning environment is well-structured and every activity planned.

 

 

 

 

 

Children play in many ways. Click here to read more about the different kinds of play

Language Ring

During the 3 - 6 age group language development proceeds at a rapid pace. Young children’s vocabulary expands at a rate of approximately 50 new words a month, provided that there are many opportunities to hear and use new words. Many opportunities for language development, such as speech games, poems, stories and songs are provided, apart from the usual chats the teacher has with each child.

Music

Music encourages children to participate. Music activities teach children to listen, concentrate and express themselves. They learn to memorise sounds and words. Vocabulary is expanded through the learning of songs. Children learn the correct pronunciation of words. They experience pleasure and this contributes to self-confidence and a positive self-image. Eye-hand coordination is promoted through the playing of musical instruments. Music provides an opportunity for expressing exuberance.

Movement

Through opportunities for movement, children will learn to move safely and gain the necessary control over their body in a variety of movement situations. As children grow older, their movements become more purposeful and skillful. In the ‘Movement’ timeslot, specific skills are focused on. During this time, attention is given to particular gross motor skills. For example, rolling a ball, balancing on apparatus, hopping or skipping.

Indoor Activities

The classroom is divided into several play areas. Apart from the daily ‘creative activity’, your child will also participate in a variety of indoor activities.

 

  1. These include construction toys – playing with blocks. They develop the small muscles of the fingers (fine motor skills). These construction activities foster the development of imagination when children decide what to build. They promote the development of mathematical insight, for example, two smaller pieces fit together to form a larger unit. They stimulate children’s language development when children discuss their constructions. Construction toys teach children to make decisions and solve problems. Added motorcars, plastic animals or other small toys make children’s play imaginative and interesting.

  2. Also included are puzzles, playdough, threading beads, pegboars, picture lottos, dominoes or other card games. These develop hand and finger muscles and promote the development of perceptual abilities, for example colour, shape and size recognition. They help improve children’s concentration and problem solving ability. They aid in language development.

  3. Fantasy play equipment enable children to feel that they are in control. This is where they imitate the adult world and get to know more about social norms. This type of play allows children to express their feelings and to come to terms with problems like aggression and anxiety. Fantasy play teaches many social skills. Children learn to compromise, share, take turns and cooperate. They develop their language and communication skills. Fantasy play develops children’s imagination and creativity.

  4. Baking activities are scientific fun! They are presented as part of the indoor discovery activities and are linked with the theme and science. During baking opportunities, scientific concepts, such as hot/cold, dry/wet, liquid/frozen are concretely demonstrated. Cooking concepts such as mixing, pouring and slicing are also taught. When baking activities are presented as part of creative activities, various other concepts such as colour, size and shape are included.

  5. Books provide some quiet time. Children will enjoy sitting on soft cushions while paging and “reading” through books.

  6. Our display table is used to display all sorts of objects for children to explore and discover. In this way children’s knowledge of the world around them is broadened. The display table is linked to the week’s theme.

Creative Activities

Creative activities develop creative thinking and provide opportunities for self-expression and communication. They strengthen the self-image and self-confidence of children. Creative activities provide opportunities to solve problems, make decisions, develop eye-hand coordination and provide opportunities to understand, organise and use concepts. They develop prewriting and prereading skills. Creative activities also encourage sensitivity towards the aesthetic (that which is attractive).

Routines

The routine activities in our daily programme provide many opportunities to introduce and teach our little ones about important life skills and personal hygiene. Hygienic practices that all children should learn about are toilet etiquette, hand washing and table manners. Other important concepts such as dressing yourself, looking after your own belongings, tidying up and manners are all covered in routine activities.

Outdoor Activities

Our outdoor play areas provide children with ample exciting opportunities to learn and discover. Outdoor equipment allows for vigorous movement. Children develop physical strength and coordination (gross motor skills). Their self-confidence and self-esteem are increased as they become more agile and proficient. They foster fantasy play (a blanket over a jungle gym transforms into a castle). They learn to socialize as they learn to play together, take turns and share.

 

Our outdoor play area consists of jungle gyms, slides, a sandpit, swing as well as climbing, running, swinging, jumping, rolling and balancing opportunities. They all develop and promote motor (physical) abilities, physical fitness and health. A corner of the outdoor play area is an interesting garden that attracts birds and bugs. We will also have a vegetable garden where the children will grow their own veggies.

 

  • Jungle gym: gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, eye-foot coordination, body strength, socializing

  • Sandpit: tactile, quantity, container size, mathematical and scientific skills, therapeutic value

  • Swing: balance, spatial awareness, eye-hand coordination, body strength

  • Climbing: balance, body awareness, spatial awareness, muscle tone

  • Running: balance, directionality, body awareness, eye-foot coordination, socializing

  • Slide: balance, body awareness, spatial awareness, body control

  • Rolling: balance, body awareness, spatial awareness, muscle development, sensory development

  • Toys with wheels: balance, spatial awareness, moving objects, manipulating objects, directionality

Story Time

Stories strengthen the bond between the teacher and your child because they provide mutual enjoyment. Stories offer children new adventures during which they develop their knowledge, experiences and ideas. Story time helps children calm down after having an exciting day at school. It sets the scene for resting time.

Resting time & Quiet activities

Children will need to rest after their busy day at school! Each child has their own mattress. They are given enough time to dose off and have an afternoon nap in a quiet, darkened and comfortable room. For children who wake up from sleeping, quiet activities provide a calm transition into afternoon activities.

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