From The Head Of Preschool

ALL action in the Preschool

In recent months, the QMC Preschool has been focusing on communication and relationships. This particular line of inquiry has taken several paths and shapes but has been primarily driven by the children’s interests and questions. Read on for a summary of some of the goings-on in the QMC Preschool.

QMC’s youngest students have been participating in many activities involving music, dance, and visual art. Beginning with a visit to Hannah Playhouse to see a Capital E production, we then moved on to a five-day dance workshop at Preschool. Finally, we started a weekly programme that focuses specifically on visual art.

The children have explored elements of art, including colour, texture, pattern, shape, and a range of drawing and painting techniques. They are already starting to talk about the different techniques and styles they are using when creating their own artworks.

With ten new children starting Preschool since September, there has been a focus on communication to support children and their whānau with settling in quickly, building new relationships, and making friends. The Preschool has been working with all its children, reinforcing appropriate social communication, and encouraging the development of strategies that promote sharing, teamwork and effective listening skills.

Children’s knowledge and use of te reo Māori continues to develop. As part of our programme, children learn their own mihi and practise presenting it in front of the Preschool group. The children have recently been learning new waiata and continue to practise NZ sign language. Learning how to write their names has been a goal for most of our younger children and we are offering opportunities for all our children to practise writing and see how writing is used in everyday activities.

We will wrap up the inquiry when we close for the year, after more performances, songs and celebrations for Christmas.

Emily Domican Head of Preschool