Pre-School Educational Program
The Koala’s program will beas follows;
The Program is based on children’s interests and abilities and therefore is often spontaneous. This is what we call an Emergent Curriculum based on the Early Years Learning Framework. We engage the children in activities that will enrich their abilities in all developmental areas including, social, emotional, language, fine motor, gross motor, cognitive. Through such stage/ age appropriate learning experiences we also encourage each child to become creative and independent at their own pace.
The School Readiness Program is introduced to the children gradually. As we are giving opportunity for all the children transitioning to get used to the new routine.
We believe children learn through exciting and hands on experiences.
Play is a way for children to encounter and make sense of experiences in their social worlds and to understand
relationships. Through play children make connections between current understandings and new experiences, move from
simple to complex and concrete to abstract understandings, and examine different perspectives (Beecher & Arthur, 2001).
Play builds on children’s strength and interests and offers learning potential for children of all ages (Dockett & Lambert,1996; Van Hoorn et al., 1999).
(Programming and Planning in Early Childhood Settings L.Arthur, B.Beecher, E.Death, S.Dockett, S.Farmer).
The outlay and format of the Pre-School program
We like to base our activities on childrens interest which makes most of these activities spontaneous; this provides them with the opportunity to engage in activities for a longer period of time as it is something they are interested in. All activities are linked to the Early Years Learning Framework and provides children with enriching opportunities to maximise their learning and well being.
We will continue to teach the children skills they will need to master for school readiness. Some of these skills are;
FINE MOTOR SKILLS such as;
- cutting with a child sized scissors along a variety of shapes including straight lines, circles, zig-zag, waves
- threading small and large beads onto fine string
- holding a pencil with correct pincer grip
- writing own first name
- opening and closing own lunch box
- wrapping and unwrapping own lunch
- tying own shoelaces
- flipping through pages of books singly
COGNITIVE/ THINKING SKILLS such as;
- retelling a familiar story using own words, (past, present, future)
- resite poems/nursery rhymes/songs
- concepts such as before/ after/next to/below/over/under/higher/lower/biggest/smallest
- listening/comprehension of stories
- following simple 2-3 steps instructions (“please cut out the circles and colour in the circles with blue”)
- recognition of shapes and colours (shapes: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, oval, diamond) (colours: red, blue, green, orange, purple, pink, white, black, yellow)
- sort/categorise objects based on appearances and functions, similarity and opposites
- complete an 8-10 piece puzzle
- count objects up to 10 and rote count up to 10
- recognise numbers up to 10
- start to tell the time (o’clock)
SELF HELP / SOCIAL SKILLS such as;
- tying own shoe laces
- buttoning own buttons
- zipping and unzipping zippers
- putting on own shoes and socks
- taking off own jumper
- looking after own belongings
- separate from parents easily
- toilet independently
- join in group activities
- use sharing skills
- eat independently, using appropriate utensils and without mess
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS such as;
- hopping
- jumping
- running/stopping
- throwing/catching
- aiming with ball at close range
- skipping
- avoid obstacles
OTHER SKILLS to develop are awareness of;
- Stranger danger
- Dental health
- Healthy eating habits
- Natural environment
- Water safety
All of the above skills will be taught formally and informally, through play. At this age it is very important for the children to learn to enjoy learning and thus making the learning process fun and informative is very important to us. We hope you have a better insight into our program.
Skills that will encourage and guide children in their learning and transitioning to school;
- Recognise and write own name
- Look after personal belongings
- Able to dress and undress independently
- Gain confidence in opening lunch boxes, unwrapping food, opening drink bottles
- Recognise numbers 0-10/ Rote count 1-20 and above
- Extend shape recognition
- Follow multi- step instructions
- Concentrating and attending to tasks for a period of 15-20 minutes
- Adapt to unfamiliar settings and new experiences
- Gain understanding of the meaning of opposites- up and down, under and over, in front and behind, day and night, in and off, in and out
- Use a variety of writing materials to draw or write
- Holds pencil with correct digital pronate grasp
- Express and verbalise interests or needs
- Gain awareness of health routines, like using tissue and washing hands
- Show respect for other children and their belongings
- Gain ability to understand, express and control their feelings and emotions.
- Differentiate between upper and lower case letters
- Gain skills to retell events in sequence
- Participate in play and group activities cooperatively and meaningfully
- Function well in a group; willing to be the leader and also the follower
- Show an understanding of basic mathematical concepts, such as length, weight, volume and mass.
- Able to share and take turn with others
- Able to separate from parents in a settled manner
- Shows empathy for children in distress
- Design and make things using a variety of materials
- Participate in imaginative play.
- Adjust to different adults and social groups
- Show a degree of independence
You may also view different learning skills in the Syllabus Documents – Board of Studies web site: http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au
Koala’s/Pre-School Parent Meeting Agenda 2015
- The importance of play
- Pre-School program
- School Readiness
- Sleep/Rest time
- Toilet training in Pre school room
