School Readiness
The school readiness program includes ways parents may assist the child to reach self-sustained independence. The list includes many ways in which to meet this goal, but should be implemented gradually. It is also important to review previously achieved tasks frequently so the child will not forget the skill that was mastered. Of equal importance is to ensure that the child does not stay home from pre-school unnecessarily. The objective we strive for is to help each child develop to their fullest potential in all seven of the major developmental areas: mental, spiritual, cognitive, emotional, social, creative and physical. Activities are designed to help children develop social skills, a sense of self-esteem, problem solving skills, creativity and a spiritual foundation. Violin Music Development Program
Leading studies suggest that exposure to music at an early age may benefit a child's educational development, IQ and the development of certain parts of the brain. Learning to play a musical instrument at this age holds added benefits, namely teaching discipline, relieving stress by calming the mind, instilling a sense of achievement, and most of all, boundless fun once the instrument is mastered. The aim of this program is to stimulate development for children between the ages of 2 yeas and 6 months, and 6 years. The program currently has 35 children partaking in it, with 2015 having seen a marked increase. This violin program has offered invaluable musical training to children who may otherwise not have had the opportunity. The programme is also an attempt by our organisation to positively influence our children’s learning experience, in order to better equip them for the education system. This gives them a fighting chance to succeed in their scholastic career. Organic Vegetables Gardening Project
Children are naturally drawn to the soil - whether it’s to make mud pies or simply to scrutinise a germinating seed with the typical undeterred concentration of a little person. Gardening with children, from toddlers to adolescents, is a much-needed distraction in a world dominated by technology. Pinocchio Crèche’s innovative approach is geared towards encouraging children to first learn how to take care of the earth, before they can attempt to conquer the world. We grasp the critical link between what is instilled in us during the foundation phase of our lives - the first 9 years -, and our resultant decision-making and choices later on in life. Our subconscious mind is most impressionable during this time, and needs to be optimised. Children learn by observing and doing, therefore teaching them to grow things - rather than to break them down - is achieved easiest through hands-on, active learning. There’s something so priceless about watching children touch and inspect an earthworm, or digging in the soil to plant their first seed. At Pinocchio Crèche we’re also very much aware that we’re helping to raise tomorrow’s grown-ups. Adults who fondly remember a childhood spent in a garden often recall a parent, grandparent, or a school or neighbor who guided and encouraged them to explore the natural world. The crèche strives to reintroduce these experiences and lessons back into learning and everyday life. Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) Grade R program
In accordance with the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement, these three key skills areas are assessed:
The language programme: is integrated into all the other subject areas. Many of the listening-and-speaking language skills develop within Mathematics and Life Skills programs, which is made up of subjects like Creative Arts, Personal and Social Wellbeing, Natural Sciences and Technology and the Social Sciences. These are based on principles of integration, as well as play-based learning. The teacher’s role in developing this skill is one of a mediator rather than a facilitator. Thus, the teacher optimises incidental learning opportunities that arise spontaneously through a range of child-centered, as well as teacher-directed activities. Issues relating to development areas such as language and social, emotional and fine- and gross motor development presents naturally during the routines and activities of our Grade R daily schedule. These five content areas make up the General Education and Training band:
Mathematics: It covers Numbers, Operations and Relationships, Patterns, Functions and Algebra, Spaces and Shapes, Measurement, Data Handling. These are based on the principles of integration and play-based learning. Grade R Mathematics is in the form of emergent mathematics and is therefore not broken up into lesson times. The lesson weaves mathematics into the learner’s daily activities, although time is specifically set aside during the day for the teacher to focus exclusively on a mathematical activity, so that the learner becomes aware of and develops the desired mathematical concepts and skills. Life Skills Is central to the holistic, integrative development of learners, and covers the social, personal, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of learners. In the CAPS the subject of Life Skills in the Foundation Phase is divided into four study areas:
Beginning Knowledge
Personal and Social Wellbeing
Creative Arts
Physical Education
This is aimed at guiding and preparing learners for life and its possibilities, including equipping learners for meaningful and adaptive living in a rapidly changing society. The subject of Life Skills exposes learners to a range of knowledge, skills and values. These strengthen their physical, social, personal, emotional and cognitive development; creative and aesthetic skills and knowledge by engaging in dance, music, drama and visual art activities; knowledge of personal health and safety; understanding of the relationship between people and the environment; and awareness of social relationships, technology processes and elementary science. Physical Education and Development
The Physical Education and Development curriculum includes a warm-up, simple aerobics with upbeat music, stretches, cool-down and activities that are all designed to help the development of your child.Examples are the names of our muscles, identification of healthy foods, hygiene, brushing our teeth, getting enough sleep, and having a positive outlook/self-esteem. This eaches children that exercise is FUN, but more than that, it is a complete health and fitness programme designed to cement good habits to hopefully last a lifetime. Benefits: The benefits our little ones can expect to get include improved strength, endurance and flexibility, stimulated hand-eye- and overall coordination, bilateral and motor skills development, active participation in group activities, improved confidence and self-esteem, health and body awareness, spatial awareness, balance, an enhanced sense of rhythm, and relaxation.
