NOVEMBER29,2024
Getting Ready for Primary 1
My Journey to School
Introduction to Preschool Learning
3
Preschoolprovidesplay-based experiencesinearlyliteracy,numeracy, movement,andsocialskills.
Weplaceagreatfocusonlearninggreater independenceandself-careskills.
Thesekeyareassupportchildren’soverall developmentandhelpthemgetreadyfor amorestructuredlearningenvironmentin Primary1.
Developing Early Literacy
Play-basedlanguageactivitiesencouragecommunicationandliteracyskills
Storytelling,rhyme, role-play,andmusic teachvocabulary, languagepatterns, andcommunication skills.
Discussionactivitiesencourage childrentosharethoughts,listen toothers,andaskquestions (“Who,What,When,Where”).
Mark-makingactivities (usingfingers,chalk, paintbrushes,etc)help childrenexplorewriting skillsnaturally.
Supporting Literacy with Motor Skills
Strongmotorskillsareessentialforwritingreadiness
Beforefocusingon letterformation, childrenneedstrong finemotorskills.
Activitieslikeplaydough, climbingandusingscissorsbuild handstrengthandcoordination neededforwriting.
Practicinghand-eye coordinationthroughactivities likethreadingorusingsmall tools(liketweezerstopickup
Building Numeracy and Mathematical Thinking
Numeracyincludes counting,sorting, measuring,andpattern recognition. Italsoincludes understandingconceptsof time,shape,spatial awarenessandmoney.
Learningmathematicalconceptsthrougheveryday playprepareschildrenforreal-lifeproblem-solving.
Pretendplay(e.g. shopping,dailyroutines) andseasonallearning experiencesintroduce conceptsofmoneyand time.
Throughplay,childrenuse mathconceptspractically —e.g.sortingtoys, measuringduringbaking, comparingsizes. Itextendstheir understandingoftheworld andsharpenstheir observationalskills.
The Pyramid of Skills for Primary 1 Readiness
Literacy and Numeracy & Mathematics
Whileearlyliteracyandnumeracyarecrucial, theyrestonself-care,social-emotional,and independentfunctioningskills.
Social, emotional, self-care and independence skills
Nurseryteacheschildrento:
Managetheirbelongings,followroutines,andbeindependentatmealtimes. Buildemotionalvocabulary,dealwithdifficultemotionsandresolveconflicts.
Learntousethetoiletindependently,dressandundress,managezipsand buttonsandaskforhelpwhentheyneedit.
Theseskillsprovideasolidbaseforadaptingtotheincreasedpaceand increasedexpectationsofJuniorSchool.
Encouraging Independence and Self-Care
Simpleself-caretaskspreparechildrenforthe autonomyneededinPrimary1
ToiletingandHygiene:Usingthebathroom independently,washinghands,andunderstanding personalhygieneareimportantforabusyschool environment.
EatingIndependently:Practicingwithutensils(knife, fork,spoon)helpschildrenmanageschoollunches withease.
DressingandUndressing:Puttingoncoats,shoes, zippingjackets,andmanagingbuttonsbuildsmotor skillsandboostsself-confidence.
EncouragingResponsibilityforPersonalBelongings:
Inpreschool,childrenlearntocarrytheirownwater bottles,organisetheirbelongings,andtake responsibilityforpersonalitems. Beingresponsiblefortheiritemshelpsthemdevelop organisationalskillsandpreparesthemtohandlethe fast-pacedschoolroutinewithoutmissingimportant learning.
Activities at home reinforce responsibility and self-reliance
Promoting Patience and Resilience:
Encouragingchildrentotry tasksthatmaybeabit challengingfosters perseveranceandresilience. Byallowingchildrentomake smallmistakesandfind solutions,theybuildproblemsolvingskillsandlearnto copewithfrustration—a valuablelifeskill.
Simple Household Tasks Encourage Responsibility:
Activitieslikesettingthetable,puttingawaytoys,or feedingapethelpchildrendevelopasenseofdutyand routine.
Takingonsmallchoresbuildsself-confidence,aschildren feellikevaluedcontributorstofamilytasks.
Building Responsibility Through
Play and Home Activities
Encouraging Executive Functioning Skills:
Simplechoresteachchildrenplanning andorganization,suchasdecidingthe orderofstepswhentidyingup. Theseactivitiesdevelopmemoryand sequencingabilities,whichhelpwith followingmulti-stepdirectionsina classroomsetting.
Developing Fine and Gross Motor Skills Through Practical Activities:
Involvingchildrenintaskslikebaking, wheretheymeasureingredients,stir, andpour,helpsstrengthenfinemotor skillsandhand-eyecoordination. Tasksthatrequirecarryingitems(e.g., helpingwithgroceries)supportgross motorskills,balance,andstrength, whicharealsobeneficialfor classroomactivities.
Preparing Emotionally for Primary 1
MovingtoPrimary1canfeelexciting andoverwhelming—open discussionscanhelpchildren processthesefeelings.
Involvechildrenin selectingschoolitems (likeuniformsand bags)tohelpthem feelownershipofthe change.
Establishmorning routinesnowtoensure asmoothtransition whenschoolstarts.
Partnering with Us for a Successful Transition
Stayconnectedwithnursery andJuniorSchoolaboutyour child’sprogress,andletusknow ofanychangesthatmayaffect theirlearning.
We’reheretosupportyouand yourchildthrougheverystepof theirjourneytoPrimary1.
Lookoutforkeydatesandschool eventstoensureyouandyourchild areprepared.
InPrimary1thechildren arefullyinvolvedintheir learning.Thelearning activitiesarevariedto meettheneedsofall learners.
Learningactively inPrimary1!
Ouroutdoorclassroom provideswonderful scopeforthechildren tolearnwiththe seasons.
Ourteacherstakean interdisciplinaryapproachwhen weavinglearningtogetherfrom acrossthecurriculum.Learningis meaningfulandfun!
Learningisexcitingand memorableinour JuniorSchool!
Ourteacherslookfor waystobringlearning tolife!
Developingnumeracyand literacyskillsinPrimary1isa keyfocusoflearning.Atthis stage,childrenarebuilding thebasicskillstheywillneed foracademicsuccessand everydaylife.
Recognisingletters, understandingphonics, anddevelopingalovefor readinghelpschildren becomeconfidentreaders andwriters.
Counting,recognising numbers,and understandingbasicmath concepts,laythe groundworkformore advancedproblem-solving andcriticalthinking.
Ourpupilshavemanyopportunities todeveloptheirconfidencethrough takingpartinperformances. Throughacting,singing,ordancing, theylearntoexpressthemselvesand embraceteamwork.
Thankyousomuchforthe wonderfulNativityperformance today.Ithoughtitwasabsolutely fantasticwithbrilliantsingingand acting.Itreallywasadelightto watchasaparentMyoldest daughterisinP6atanotherschool andhasneverhadtheopportunity tobepartofanythinglikethis.
Iknowanincredibleamountof hardworkgoesonbehindthe scenesandIamreallygratefulto youall.Itwasfabulous! Thankyouverymuchandvery welldone!
Theseperformancesnotonlyfoster asenseofaccomplishmentbut alsoencouragechildrentotake risks,thinkontheirfeet,and problem-solveinreal-time.
Learningtakesplace beyondtheclassroomtoo!
Thechildrenhaveopportunityfor educationalvisitsandtripsthrough eachyear,whichenhancetheir learningandextendtheirknoweldge.
Thesecan takeplacein ourICTsuite, orwithinthe classroom itselfthrough useofipads and programming beebots.
Teachingdigitalskillsandconfidenceisan importantaspectoflearninginPrimary1.
Teachingdigitalskillsand confidenceisanimportantaspect oflearninginPrimary1.Thechildren aresupportedintheirlearning throughourICTprogrammeof lessons.
Ourlinkswithinthelocal communityarestrong,and allowustoextendlearningfor thechildrenateverystage.
