Our Curriculum consists of a new theme each week, and the activities will vary depending on weekly themes. For our young toddlers up to Gr 00 (Pre-Grade R), Our focus will be on development through age-appropriate activities that are fun, educational, skill-building and uplifting.
Whilst we are sensitive to each learner’s individual needs, a different pace and learning approach, each learner will be encouraged to participate in various areas and skills which will ultimately lay the foundation for a well-rounded, socially adapted, emotionally and intellectually confident child.
Our Teachers work daily on the whole child approach which will include
Practical Life
In this area, the child is taught skills for daily living. Enriching activities will be enjoyed and much is learnt through everyday interactions. Children gain information by using objects in the real world, by watching other children and by following the good examples set by adults.
Language
Passive language ability is a pre-requisite for the active use of language.
Passive language activities include: listening to stories, poems and rhymes, paging through picture books, interpretation of pictures and drawings which represent stories.
Active language is developed by giving the child the opportunity to relate, speak, describe, express, and role play. Each child’s language skills are enriched. Vocabulary and conversation is developed.
Number concepts
Through the early stages of number concepts, the child will establish a concrete understanding of quantities by comparing numbers and amounts i.e. more or less, full and empty. Additionally, through games and perception activities in this area, the child will learn to solve problems and increase their mathematics skills.
Sensorial
The refining of the 5 senses is very important in the development of the child. The child will begin using these senses from birth. All of these senses, namely smell, taste, touch, hearing and sight enable the child to discover the world around them.
Cognitive
This development refers to overall intellectual or mental development. It includes the ability to perceive a problem and to solve it in an effective way.
Children’s intellect must be stimulated from birth. Children must be encouraged to ask questions, examine things, read, be creative, and play thinking games.
Activities in the form of play is encouraged to develop logical reasoning and free-thinking. Some examples of this are: discovering and naming the attributes of things, observing and describing how things are similar or different, sorting and matching, comparing and distinguishing, mechanical and rhythmic counting, fitting things together and taking them apart, learning to locate objects and places in the classroom, etc.
Creative
Each child is encouraged to express their creative side and enjoy freedom through art, drawing, colouring, painting, crafts, music, etc. creativity is equally as important as academics and gives the child a sense of freedom and self-expression and individuality.
Motor Skills
The development of motor skills is vital to a child’s development as a whole. During a child’s Preschool years (from baby to age 6), he/she makes rapid progress with regard to motor skills which enable him/her to explore their world and manipulate objects in their environment. A child develops and grows physically to such an extent that by the age of 6, they are able to climb, run, go up and downstairs with alternating feet,
hop, skip, jump, catch a ball, etc. – these are all gross motor movements. With regards to fine motor movements, the child will progress with continuous practice to cut with scissors on a line, dress and undress, tie shoelaces, manipulate the different size and textured objects such as playdough, draw pictures, learn to write, etc.
Physical
These are all fun, play activities which are focused specifically on movement for muscle development and control and important for the child’s physical well-being. Through stimulating play, the child also learns about the world.
Different types of play are: discovery play, constructive play, manipulated play, skill mastery play, fantasy play, and problem-solving play.
Social
Development in this area has to do with the ability to interact with other human beings. A child is not born a social being and does not intuitively know what behaviour is socially acceptable. Through interaction with various personalities (teachers and peers) children gain early social skills. We encourage kindness, awareness, acceptance of others, willingness to share and being considerate towards others.
Respect
The children take an active part in caring for their school and for each other, they learn how to work together in a group, to share, to take turns and to be considerate of other people. This promotes an atmosphere of respect for others and for the environment in general.
Daily Routine
Each class has a specific age appropriate and comprehensive daily routine which is both balanced and well planned to provide our learner’s an opportunity to experience many fun, exciting and stimulating activities throughout the day in the best possible environment to grow and develop.
With hands-on guidance, we encourage our young learner’s to explore and discover things for themselves. We aim to develop and build a good self-concept by creating situations in which our young learners are able to achieve success. By moving easily through the daily routine, we facilitate a sense of self-worth in our learners.
We include in our DAILY ROUTINE (but not limited to)
- Hands on guidance
- Various interactive group activities
- Interactive team building activities
- English language
- Number skills
- Perception
- Practical life skills
- Creative art
- Educational table play / activities
- Innovative teaching strategies and lesson plans
- Foster positive relationships and social skills
- Foster identity and belonging
- Encourage cultural and extra mural activities
- Encourage good manners and consideration
- Encourage good values, morals and standards
