Course 1

Course 1

Dear Parent/caregiver

Today you will be introducing the theme to your child. To do this effectively you need to provide him/her with some concrete objects to assist with grasping of the concepts. For this the following is recommended: 

  • It is important to show your child pictures of a classroom and items associated with a classroom 
  • You would need to gather some classroom supplies namely: books; table; chairs; crayons: schoolbags etc. 
  • It is important to have your child see, touch and explore actual items as you start a discussion with them about the theme

Use the following open ended questions to introduce the theme:

  • Who looks after me in my classroom? (Teacher, Facilitator.)
  • What do I find in a classroom? (Books; tables: chairs: puzzles.)
  • What areas do I have in my classroom (Block play, fantasy play, Reading corner and working area.)
  • What do we do in a classroom? ( work , play develop and learn )

Day 1:

Activity 1:

Fine motor creative art activity: Constructing a Flower 

Duration of activity: 20-30 minutes

What do we need?

  • A paper plate 
  • One ice-cream stick 
  • Scissors 
  • Glue 
  • Variety of paint colours
  • Paint brush 
  • Colored paper (with pre-drawn circle and leave shapes to be cut out) * Caregiver to trace beforehand. ( Leaves preferably on green colour paper )
  • Seeds or beads 

What to do:

1. Your child will cut out the pre drawn circle and leaves.

2. Child then cuts slits around the paper plate.

3. Allow them to paint the paper plate any color of their choice and the ice-cream stick green.

4. Once it is dry they attach the ice- cream stick, circle and leaves to the flower.

5. They can then add seeds and beads to the flower for some decoration. 

Activity 2

Physical gross motor activity: Bear walks

Duration: 5-10 minutes 

What to do: 

  1. The child places their hands and feet on the floor.
  2. Their hips and bottoms should be in the air, (higher than their head) 
  3. While on all fours, walk forward while maintaining the above posture. 
  4. This movement activity can form part of any obstacle courses at any other time as part of routines during transitions.

Click on the video below for more information about its benefits for your child’s development.

Activity 3

Milk Experiment 

Duration: 10-15 minutes 

What do I need?

  • A plastic bowl 
  • ½ Milk (full cream)
  • Cup 
  • Food coloring ( Different colors)
  • Dish washing liquid 
  • Cotton Soap 

What to do: 

1. Parent/ Caregiver throws a ½ cup of milk in a bowl 

2. Allow your child to then dip food coloring into the milk 

3. Add tiny bit of dish soap to the Q- tip (cotton bud)

4. Instruct your child to press the cotton bud down into the center of each color and see what happens!

*The colours will explode all over as the detergent reacts to the molecules of the milk

5. Discuss concepts of: chemical reactions; mixing chemicals; scientific work; being a scientist; (maybe mention words such as particles and molecules so as to expand vocabulary and begin to create this scientific language/interest)