THE BLOSSOM NURSERY
The Blossom Nursery “Skygarden” Approach It’s important work - learning and being with children.
They are our future and
increasingly are faced with a challenging and changed world. Teaching and learning by traditional methods does not engage young learners and so a fundamental shift in learning paradigms is necessary to effectuate motivated, interested learners who learn by “doing.” Skygarden is an experience based learning model that extends the British Foundation curriculum by focusing on the senses and children’s emerging interests that which sparks their attention and imagination. The approach takes self directed exploration and focused play and blends them with a fundamental belief that space impacts learning. Together, a space that teaches and empowering children is what skygarden is all about. The Blossom Nurseries (www.theblossomnursery.com) have introduced this model and aspire to be spaces where the reason why we do things is as important as results and each day - and the lessons of life are learned through active play, imagination and creativity. The philosophy is simple - children sing, jump, twist, build, write, dig and do whatever excites them and in the process learn, grow and we achieve with children learning more and better. Seeing everyday things in new ways is a key method and “The Alphabet in The Environment” project is a reflection on the skygarden approach to early language growth. Finding the letter shapes in everyday items and spaces is an inspiration to see everyday things in a new and different perspective. PAGE 1 OF 3
THE BLOSSOM NURSERY
Skygarden fundamentally teaches through the five senses and so classrooms move and toys and equipment are varied. Some activities to do at home with great results are those that start by sensory isolation. Between birth and around 12 years of age children build their own set of preferences for learning. For example, after birth they develop preferences for touch, voices, pictures, reading and writing in that order. Isolate touch by placing various objects with different textures in a box or a bag. Ask your child to reach in and describe what they feel. Can they figure out what they have? This exercise focuses on tactile touch to explore vocabulary, early math concepts and descriptive language. At the beach digging in the sand and in the kitchen feeling flour, sugar, hot and cold etc. all help to build the touch skill without relying on the dominant seeing and sight sense. Of course, the kitchen is a great place to explore taste and smell as well. It’s a place to find things that look the same but taste very different. Bring out vinegar and water, salt and sugar, flour and baking soda - dab on finger and taste. What makes them different even though they look similar? Soaking cotton balls in different flavors like orange, lemon, peppermint and making your own scratch and sniff items by simply spreading powder gelatin on a paper to dry are also excellent ways to isolate smell.
DIY potpourri with cinnamon sticks, flowers and mint leaves make
excellent gifts when netting squares and ribbon are added and such activities are perfect to practice fine motor skills. Children learn best when there is a purpose to the play. Isolating sound and sight are a great way to beat Dubai’s heat with a musical tea party or scavenger hunt indoors. Blindfold your child and ask children to follow the direction of the sound - clapping hands, drumming and using instruments all build early numeracy skills and questioning what is making the sound and asking them to replicate simple pattern sounds does this easily. Making a play basket is another fun way to extend these activities - a wicker basket with everyday items - scarves, a small flashlight, papers, spoons and more are enough to start conversations. Add different colors of cellophane, magnifying glasses, words and pictures which can give everyday PAGE 2 OF 3
THE BLOSSOM NURSERY
things new perspective and help budding Blossoms to experience everything from the earths skygarden in new and exciting ways. Celebrating the important work of children and the belief of the importance of the journey - and not just the destination is key. The Skygarden model with hundreds of activities activates this enrichment - through everyday engaged experiences that are purposeful play. Blossom children thrive - call today at 04.394.8837 to book a tour.
Contact Details For further details on redefining early years education contact charlotte@theblossomnursery.com / mob. +971.50.422.9161 or info@theblossomnursery.com Blossom Village details can be found at www.theblossomnursery.com • tel: 04.394.8837 / mob. 055.NURSERY • #43, Street 21c, Umm Suqeim 1
Blossom Village is hosting open houses for families each Monday from 9-11am and tours on Monday /Wednesday at 11am. Call 04.394.8837 to enroll.
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