Course 1

Course 1

Dear Parent/caregiver

Today you will be introducing the theme: Toys and books 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: 

  • Collect and gather a variety of actual toys and various types of books to show your child as you begin discussing each.
  • Have pictures of toys and books available to show your child as a reference when sharing on the theme. 

Use the following open-ended questions to spark your child’s interest and thinking around the theme.

  • Where do we get reading books from? (Library; Book shop)
  • What is your favourite story?
  • Why is it your favourite story?
  • From which places can we buy toys? (Toy Shop)
  • How do we take care of our books and toys? (washing it; taking care of it)
  • What is your favorite toy?
  • Who likes playing with toys?

Activity 1:

Creative art activity: Constructing a toy binoculars 

Duration of activity: 20-30 minutes

What do I need?

  • 2 Empty toilet roll holders
  • Paint 
  • Glue 
  • 2 pegs 
  • Paint
  • Sponge/ Paint brush
  • Punch

What to do:

1. Your child glues two toilet rolls together and allows it to dry by putting the 2 washing pegs on either side of the toilet rolls.

2. When dry, your child then paints the toilet roll any colour of their choice and allows it to dry in a sunny area.

3. Once it is dry, your child must punch holes on either side of the toilet rolls *(Parent to assist with punch)

4. Finally, your child should thread the string through the tubes and around them as shown to form a binoculars. 

**There are many benefits to fostering your child’s creativity from an early age; it can help them to develop mentally, emotionally and socially. It also:

  1. Improves coordination and fine motor skills; essential for dressing themselves, tying shoelaces and even learning to write.
  2. Develops their imagination and encourages self-expression.
  3. Makes them more creative and enhances their ability to innovate.
  4. Boosts self-esteem and can instil a real sense of pride and achievement.
  5. Promotes feelings of relaxation and a sense of calm**.

Activity 2

Mathematics Activity: Stacking paper cups according to number symbols 

Duration: 5-10 minutes 

What do I need?

  • 10 Foam cups 
  • Some split peas/dried beans
  • Marker 

What to do?

  1. Parents are to write the numbers 1-10 on each of the foam cups 
  2. Children then stacks the foam cups according to the right number sequence 
  3. Parent should mix the numbers up each time so that your child can do it over and over for practice. 
  4. Have your child put the correct amount of peas/beans in the cup to match correctly to the numbered cup
  5. While doing this the child also practices counting.

Activity 3                                                                          

Physical Activity: Crab Walks 

Duration: 10-15 minutes 

What to do:

  1. The child sits with the feet flat on the floor and the knees pointing up.
  2. 2. Hands go behind the back and push down on the floor to lift the bottom up off the floor.
  3. 3.  First have the child practice lifting the bottom off the floor.  If the child can do this with ease and can maintain the position for 5 to 10 seconds, then begin Crab Walking.
  4. 4. It is easier to move backwards.  So, have children start by moving backwards.
  5. 5. Once Crab walking backwards is mastered, encourage the child to Crab Walk in a forward direction. Because this is harder, it will take practice. Encourage patience and perseverance

** Crab Walking requires weight bearing and moving the body against gravity.  This is considered, “Heavy Work,”

      The heavy work also increases muscle strength.  The trunk muscles also get stronger but the hands and fingers also get a workout for hand strengthening.  This in turn helps build fine motor control