JC Academy Preschool & Aftercare

Educational Programme offered by JC Academy Pre School and Aftercare

There are themes, routines, set out activities (to develop gross and fine motor skills, etc), Letterland (ABC) and we follow a curriculum (NELDS and CAPS as set out by the Educational Board of South Africa).

• Developing:
              - language skills
              - early literacy and numeracy skills
              - independence and confidence in learning
              - problem solving
              - listening skills (to recognize sounds and learn to concentrate)
              - fine motor skills
              - gross motor skills

 

• Social and personal learning (they learn to function as a group and as individual)

• Pronunciation (language develops during nursery rhymes, movement, instruments and singing

• Co-ordination (great for hand-eye co-ordination, balance, spatial development)

• Sleep/rest time (their bodies and minds need time to rejuvenate and relax after so much        stimulation)

• The older the child the more disciplined the classes get, and the greater demands are placed on           the children educationally and behaviorally

 

Structured Activities offered by  JC Academy Pre School and Aftercare 

• Arts and crafts

• Reading books, story time

• Puzzles

• Sand play in sandpit

• Water play

• Construction play - blocks

• Cars

• Ball skills with different balls

• Songs, music, and dance

• Fantasy play and dressing up

• Outdoor play on outdoor equipment

 

Music and storytime  becomes the tool to facilitate other developmental activities such as active play, story telling, visual and aural stimulation, language and reading, life skills, social interaction and numeracy. Learning therefore becomes a fun experience!

The importance of music and story telling is that it teaches a child on various levels:

• Movement - rhythm to music

• Listening skills - to recognise sounds and concentration

• Musical Variations - children become aware of variations in music

• Participation - teaches children to take turns

• Pronunciation - Language develops during nursery rhymes, movement, instruments and singing

• Expression - Music is a means of expression, wild abandon, escapisms

• Co-ordination - Great for hand-eye co-ordination, balance, spatial development

• Actions
             - Actions during music include
             - Clapping,  Slapping legs,  Snapping fingers,  Stamping feet, 

• Contrasts
            - Contrasting sounds e.g. Loud & soft and high & low

 

Art

Before all other types of stimuli, children respond visually to the world around them. Art teaches children to discriminate and become spatially aware. They are able to express themselves visually before verbal or written communication.

Aesthetic awareness is raised through aspects of symmetry, balance and proportion.

Creative development both visual (2D) and hap tic (3D) is crucial in terms of fine and gross motor skills. Through art, children learn to communicate their awareness of the world around them and their relationship to that world.  The therapeutic activity of Art & Craft allows children a sense of identity through mark making and recording.  Above all else – ART IS FUN!!

 

Water play

When it comes to play materials, children don't mind getting messy or wet. That's why water play is both enjoyable and educational and perfect for hot days that call for cooling off.

Indoor water play can go on all year long, and like outdoor play, helps children develop eye-hand coordination and math and science concepts. It may also enhance social skills and encourage cooperation.

There is no right or wrong way to play with this familiar, inexpensive "toy" that comes not from a package, but from our very own environment.

 

Whether it be toddlers or school-agers, there are safety factors to consider when playing outdoors. Adults should monitor children carefully to prevent slipping or overexposure to the sun. As with all outdoor activities, be prepared for bee stings and knee scrapes. Indoors or outdoors, any container of water is a possible hazard and must be supervised at all times.

Water tables, while great opportunities for children to compromise and work together, must be carefully maintained to prevent germs that can grow in warm and wet environments. If teachers keep water tables, they must be sure the tables are cleaned and disinfected with bleach solution and filled with fresh water at least daily. Children should wash their hands before playing at the table, and toys should be washed and disinfected daily. Many teachers prefer large plastic tubs for individual children, sometimes set within an empty table that catches spillover. These can be disinfected more easily, and make clean-up quicker and easier.

Adults should look for cues in children's waterplay for opportunities to stimulate fantasy play. Add objects from home, school and nature. Pose open-ended questions, make sure children have challenging and interesting options, and give them the opportunity to evaluate and tell others about what they did and learned through play.

If a child makes a boat out of a squeeze bottle, we may be prompted to join in their pretend-play. But, use judgement in choosing when to step in and ask questions and when to stand back, listen, and enjoy. Fantasy play is an important and sometimes private part of children's development. Don't be discouraged if caregivers aren't invited to participate every time.

 

 

 

Gross motor skills

Gross motor skills are defined as the movements of the large muscles of the body. Gross motor development is often better than fine motor development in boys. Overall, gross motor development is in keeping with cognitive level

Infants and toddlers usually acquire the same skills in the same order as their peers. However, there may be delays in the acquisition of early milestones, such as sitting, crawling, and walking.

Many infants achieve these milestones at the same times as their non-affected peers, and most boys walk by the age of 2.

 Development

Some problems with low muscle tone and balance may affect the gross motor development of boys.

• Flat feet and hyper extensible joints can cause awkwardness in motor movements.

• Poor motor planning may lead to difficulties in learning certain skills, such as throwing and        catching a ball.

• With some of the sensory defensiveness seen in children, motor movements may be inhibited             by a reluctance to catch a ball, focus on a target, or other sports related skills.

• Balance problems may cause riding a two-wheel bike to be more difficult, but many boys do   achieve this ability.

Many children simply need more opportunity for participation in sports and games. Physical play at home and in the yard provides ways to develop physical strength and skills and to calm overstimulation.

Current research has proved that children are sorely lacking in their gross motor development as is evidenced by the large numbers of children being referred for occupational therapy.

Low muscle tone has severe ramifications for scholastic progress as it impacts on the child’s ability to sit correctly in a chair, hold a pencil and thus perform in class. Ball Skills is offered to children as an attempt to engage children in structured gross motor activities in a fun and engaging way.

 Children are taught Basic Ball Skills such as:

• Throwing

• Catching

• Striking a ball/bean bag

• Weaving between beacons and moving their body in a co-ordinated fashion.

Other essential skills learnt are turn taking and participating in a team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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