Playgroup

When the children arrive between 9.15am and 9.30am the staff welcomes them and they either join the prepared activity or the freeplay.

Prepared Activities

Out of this box we can make a shaker.

How many rolls might we need today?

Pat a cake, Pat a cake, Baker's man.

The blue and yellow paint makes green

Look I have cut a square.

We wash all the dolls clothes.

Freeplay

The cones are carrots
and the conkers are potatoes.

I have to screw
this bolt in here.

Lets play at the sand tray.

I can do the jig-saw all by myself

Lets feed
the fish.

Would you read me this book?

I will build a high tower.

We have a puppet show today.

This crayon makes funny lines.

Look how many beads I threaded.

The doll needs changing.

The plants need watering.

Around 10.30am some children might help to prepare the break time while others tidy the room. Everybody, having washed his or her hands joins around 11am the morning circle.

Morning has come,
Night is away,
Rise with the sun,
And welcome the day.

Birdies and flowers,
Beasties and man,
Rise with the sun,
And join in the ring.

Songs, rhymes and games accompanied by big and small movements interweave. The last song will lead us to the table where our snack is waiting for us.

Earth who gave us this food
Sun who makes it ripe and good
Dear Sun, Dear Earth,
By you we live
Our love and thanks
To you we give

After the children are finished some might need help with the clearing of the table, the washing or the drying up, while others get ready to go outside to the playground or off for a walk.

Outdoors

For the leave prints
we need to gather leaves.

Here look in the Garden bed.

And what are those workmen doing?

The sandpit is all wet today.

We will visit the farm.

Lets look for pinecones for our dolls.

Hoops can roll very far.

We have a puppet show today.

This crayon makes funny lines.

We collect wool from the weavery.

I can balance along the wall.

The slide is all warm.

A story forms the end of the day, perhaps accompanied by puppets or a picture book.

Aims for our curriculum

Physical Development

We aim to provide stimulating activities through which the children may develop their whole body, their movements, their bodily functions and a wide variety of senses and in a rhythmical manner to stimulate the development and forming of the inner organs.

Creative & Aesthetic Development

We aim to provide simple, beautiful and clear aesthetic materials, leaving endless possibilities for the child's imagination and creativity; (Materials include spoken word, stories, songs, crayons, music, rhymes, movements …) in order that the imaginative forces of the child can work positively on the child's development.

Language Development

We aim to use language in story, rhymes, songs and conversation, creatively and paired with gestures or movement in order to address the whole child. The eye contact while speaking or singing will be paramount to encourage the fine development of the larynx system.

Early Experiences In Science & Technology

We aim to foster the natural curiosity of childhood, which paired with creativity and awe and wonder will be a broad basis for science and technology.

We want to create a wholesome, warm, rhythmical environment for each child.

Knowledge & Appreciation Of The Environment

We aim to foster awe and wonder towards the creation of which the child is a part of, by paying great attention to create a loving and caring environment around the child. (Role modelling)

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Our aim is to provide a warm, welcoming surrounding in which each child can feel safe and comfortable in order to develop personal, social and emotional skills to their full potential; thus building a foundation for interest, love, security as a basis for life long learning.

Early Mathematical Experiences

We aim to develop a rhythmical environment in our activities and our physical surrounding, taking nature as the role model thus strengthening the sense of balance, being the foundation of mathematical concepts.

For further information contact Helena Kemper:
(0044) 02882 256101
Puddleduck@camphillclanabogan.com