Our Junior Preschool Class builds on the foundations begun in our Toddler Class through a range of interesting and hands-on experiences that assist in their social, physical, and cognitive development. The ability to follow routines will be strengthened by continual exposure over the course of the year. We will also continue to expose our students to early literacy skills with a focus on early phonics awareness and exposure to individual letter sounds. These skills are taught using fun, original teaching materials, designed specifically for this age group.
A range of themes will also be taught throughout the course of the year, which will both review the content taught in Toddler and introduce new vocabulary and concepts. Sensory exploration is key to the teaching of our original theme curriculum, as is the opportunity for imaginative play.
During play school, children enjoy learning through a wide variety of social studies and science-based topics, starting with familiar topics like the classroom surroundings, their family, and their home, and progressing to other areas of interest, such as space, dinosaurs, mini beasts, and road and rail transportation. Children enjoy art and craft, music and drama, story time, and cooking associated with these topics.
Also, through experiencing a variety of activities with their classmates, we set the stage for the continuing development of our students' social skills. In addition, we continue to develop their fine motor skills by teaching them how to use scissors, glue, and writing implements.
Exposure to sight words is also one of the first steps towards building basic reading and writing skills, which help children transition smoothly into junior kindergarten. Students also begin pre-writing activities with a view to handwriting practise in the second half of the year.