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Pre-School
Clas Description
There are two classes in Pre-School. Please see below for our expectations for the year ahead and information about our curriculum. Click on the + icons below to find out more.
The philosophy of the Pre-School programme is to help children develop their self awareness and to become confident and independent. Play is an important aspect of Pre-School and we aim to provide an attractive environment that will stimulate learning. Children are given the opportunity to investigate and experiment at their own pace and to foster their own interests. School is seen as an extension of home and it makes use of the cultural diversity present in the classroom as a basis for recognizing the value of each and every culture represented.
Classroom activities are arranged to give the children an introduction to foundation skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, mathematics, art, science, and social studies, music and physical education. These are often taught together by developing more than one skill at once through units of inquiry.
Language
While we teach in English, other languages are always encouraged and home languages are celebrated.
Speaking and Listening
The children are given the opportunity to listen, retell and respond purposefully, both individually and in groups. They learn social skills such as the ability to discuss issues constructively, to predict what might happen next, to explain what happened in the story and to respect the views of others. Listening and participating in books read aloud by the teacher enhances the children’s natural love of both words and stories. It is important for children to experience a rich repertoire of poem, rhymes and songs. This helps them develop an awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. Through the programme Letters and Sounds we begin introducing the letter sounds.
Reading
Familiarity with books is seen as an encouragement to read. We aim to teach the children about books,their design and their purpose. The development of reading skills is dependent on the overall development of the child. They are given examples of non-fiction, fiction and poetry and encouraged to read along with appropriate stories. The children also learn to recognize the letter sounds introduced.
Writing
Children develop pre-writing coordination and fine motor skills through a variety of activities. When a child is ready they begin to develop writing skills such as pencil grip, and left & right progression skills.The development of fine and gross motor control is particularly important at this stage of writing.
Art
Art is one of the ways in which children learn as they investigate, experiment, look more closely, question, and make decisions all in their own way and time. The aim is to develop self-confidence and independence of choice. We encourage the use of a variety of mediums and materials to give the children opportunities to create their own views of their environment.
Mathematics
Maths is not always about paper and pencil; it is a very practical subject. At this age we aim to develop the idea that mathematics is fun. Topics covered include: sorting; matching; one-to-one correspondence; simple sets; basic shapes; comparisons of size, weight, length, & height; counting; number symbol recognition concept of time; and basic number and mathematical vocabulary development. These skills are taught through play, rhymes and practical methods.
Music
The aim of music education is to induce and foster in every child a love and appreciation of music. The programme seeks to develop a sense of joy and achievement in individual expression and teamwork through the medium of music.
Physical Education
We aim to develop student skills through swimming, games, dance and gymnastic activities. Students move creatively and spontaneously to music in dance. In games, students develop coordination and build up skills through practiced use of varied apparatus. In swimming, students develop water confidence fundamentals through a series of varied activities. The focus is on activities progressing from Step 1 upwards.
The PE Department would like to remind and encourage the Pre-school students to come dressed in the recommended PE kit for PE lessons. As the season is getting hotter, they are also reminded to bring in an extra water supply to school on PE days. Furthermore, it is mandatory for everyone to acquire the accepted ISL. swimming costume unless otherwise stated.
Personal and Social Development
We provide an ideal setting to encourage sharing and “turn-taking”. Children learn to feel comfortable within the daily routines and to know what is expected of them. They are able to help and support each other through their ideas and actions, and to share a range of responses and feelings.
Units of Inquiry
In keeping within the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Social Studies and Science will be taught within Units of Inquiry. These Units will run for approximately 8 weeks and will incorporate as many subjects as appropriate.
Our Science and Social Studies activities are built into our Units of Inquiry and we do our best to integrate these into our themes in class. For these two subjects, we concentrate on the immediate environment. Exploration and discovery are encouraged in order to develop increased awareness of living things and environmental conditions. We aim to develop positive attitudes and feelings towards the environment. The children develop knowledge and skills in observation, exploration, questioning and logical thinking abilities.
Zambian Studies
Our lessons incorporate what is learned in class, using local vernacular. We consolidate and make terms familiar and fun to learn.
Pre-school aims to give your child a broad and balanced introduction to life at school preparing them to enter school through the Reception programme. We aim to make Pre-school enjoyable, stimulating, rewarding, and most of all fun.
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