The Past Two Weeks In Pre-Reception
As we near the end of Term 2, the biggest challenge is to try and keep our students happy and occupied, without making their lives more stressful. The students know that something big is happening and they are not allowed to see their friends and teachers except for during our online Zoom class discussions.
During the past 2 weeks, our students have been very busy! We enjoyed learning more interesting facts about creepy crawlies; some took selfies in their school uniform; we had many Zoom meetings; we created our own insects for Art and others even drew pictures of all their friends at school.
The Pre-Reception classes have been learning about the letter ‘r’ in Literacy and they covered counting objects for Numeracy.
It is always wonderful to see our students and families share their experiences with us.
Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher
The importance of play – Pre-Reception Term 1 2019
“Play is nature’s means of ensuring that young mammals, including young human beings, acquire the skills that they need to acquire to develop successfully into adulthood”
– Dr Peter Gray
As I observe my Pre-Reception class and reflect over the first term, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by and how much they have already developed. “Time flies when you are having fun!” The students have settled into the class routine beautifully and for some of them it is their first time at school.
Each week they have learnt about different themes, identifying numbers and sounds, number and letter formation, pencil control, shapes, colours, done activities to strengthen their fine motor skills, complete patterns, the importance of sharing and taking turns to name only a few of the things.
As I watch and interact with my students, it strikes me that people don’t realize the importance of play and what they actually learn through play. During play children are thinking, problem solving, developing memory, planning, investigating, developing language skills, concentrating and learning many more skills… Play is healthy for children, it reduces stress and anxiety by providing an outlet. Play is the medium through which children explore and experience their world around them. It’s how they learn! To a child, playing and working or learning are the same thing.
I noticed the children in my class engaging in various types of play throughout the day:
Fantasy or Dramatic Play also known as pretend play or make – believe play which involves “acting out” ideas and role playing activities.
Sensory play involves stimulating the senses, tastes, textures, smells, colours, shapes and movements.
Investigative stage of play is when a child wants to see what happens when materials are manipulated in a certain way.
Competitive Play refers to games with rules that are more structured and may involve more than one player. My students love to play Hide and seek as well as Duck duck goose.
Constructive Play involves creating things and manipulating objects to make something. Some of the students really enjoy playing with the wooden blocks and building the most amazing constructions.
Physical Play refers to play that is purely physical, such as climbing a jungle gym, skipping etc.
Creative Play is about creating art using paint, crayons, cutting and pasting etc to express oneself.
Here are some tips how parents can support their child through play in the holidays:
-Allow enough time for play indoors and outdoors every day.
-Provide a safe environment.
-Play with your child and verbalise what they are doing and ask them questions to promote language development and problem solving.
-Allow your child to explore and get dirty during play.
-Provide stimulating toys and equipment.
-Encourage freedom of choice and do not interfere in the game.
-Provide clothes and accessories for dress-up play.
-Focus on the enjoyment of the game and not only on winning.
-Focus on games that teach mathematical and early reading skills.
-Play is not just good for your child but it’s good for parents too. Similarly to children, play helps parents relieve stress, mend and strengthen relationships and keeps everyone happy.
So the next time your children ask you to play with them, it’s not just good for them it’s good for YOU too!
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
Welcome Pre-Reception 2019
The new year at Blouberg International has begun! Most of the students come to school full of excitement and energy ready for the day’s activities. Some of the educational play activities they have participated in so far are: painting, cutting out and rolling play dough, various ball skills, cutting, pasting and much more!
This is what some of the Pre-Reception students said they liked most about their new school:
- Kelvin & Melvin Ngula (3 years 6 months) – “building with the wooden blocks!”
- Jaanae Pillay (3 years 5 months) – “I like it when my teacher reads a story to the class.”
- Hannah Baker (2 years 9 months) – “I like playing with the dolls the most!”
- Richard Hoskins (2 years 10 months) – “I like watching the birds fly into the classroom.”
Starting Pre-Reception is a significant event for every child. It can be both exciting as well as emotional. I am excited to see how they grow and develop throughout the year. We hope the start to your child’s journey be an exciting & joyful one!
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
