Pre-School: Building Strong Foundations

Pre-school Building Strong Foundations

ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Introduction

to Pre-school If you walk through a forest, you'll notice that every tree is unique.

Their branches stretch in different directions, their leaves vary in size, and they grow at their own pace. But one thing all trees have in common is that they start by growing strong roots.

The same is true for our Pre-school children. Each child develops in their own way and at their own pace. Before they can grow new skills and reach new milestones, they need strong roots— a solid foundation to grow and develop new skills and learning. In Pre-school we focus on building these foundations to support their journey into school and beyond.

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Foundation Areas

Understanding the World

Mathematics

Expressive Arts and Design

Literacy

Foundation Areas Personal, Social and Emotional

Physical Communication and Language

Without these foundations, the branches of learning will be harder to grow ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Page 3

ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Communication and Language Sequencing past events Hearing and distinguishing phonic sounds Using marks for a purpose Recalling stories and experiences Noticing patterns in songs and stories Adding storylines into play Using phonic knowledge to write words Blending/segmenting orally and visually Building a love of books and stories Rhyme and rhythm of songs and stories Recognising and representing their own name Distinguishing and name sounds around them Talking about what their marks represent

Communication and Language

Repeated refrains Speaking to others clearly Noticing and discussing illustrations Singing and exploring musical rhythms Developing vocabulary

Back and forth interactions

Understanding what a question is

Attentive listening

Understanding instructions Showing experiences in imaginative play

Develop intonation, facial expressions, rhythm and phrasing Discussing quantity, shape and pattern Asking and answering questions Sharing what they notice around them

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Personal, Social and Emotional Develop an ‘I can’ attitude to new learning Working with others to create/play developing team building and idea sharing Overcoming setbacks

Believe others will listen

Share ideas without fear of being wrong Understanding who they are in the world

Show compassion and care towards others Take part in team games Being confident to ask for help

Recognise the impact of their choices on others Negotiate and compromise with others

Personal, Social and Emotional Independence dressing, feeding, toileting, drinking etc.

Show confidence in new social situations

Notice similarities and differences

Turn take with others

Engage with other children and adults

Express emotion

Build secure attachments Observe others to guide social interactions

Recognising how they feel Understand need for boundaries and why

Build new friendships Build secure attachments

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Physical Throw, catch, transport equipment Recognise risk and complete tasks safely and independently Understand their body and make decisions to keep it healthy Hold a pencil and write words Being confident to ask for help Use media to express ideas and make representation Look after their own needs Use a variety of tools to create for a purpose

Use vocabulary of movement and actions

Show control when drawing to represent Joining curves and lines to enclose a space

Physical

Express needs in relation to hunger, tiredness

Identifying parts of their body Move with control

Be healthy and how/why Moving hands in coordination and independently of each other

Dressing and undressing independently

Manipulate one handed tools

Cross their midline and pivot from their shoulder and elbow Show spatial awareness

Showing balance and co-ordination

Recognise body needs and toileting

Understand risk and ask for help

Recognising body needs and toileting

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | St Piran’s Habits

How children learn is also important The St Piran’s habits are:

Motivation | Engagement | Thinking These habits are key to children developing the abilities and attitudes of strong learners and support progress in all areas of their learning and development.

Children thrive when all areas of development and school habits are supported, helping them grow into happy, content, and independent learners.

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Supporting Development

How do we support the development of these foundations?

It is important to recognise each child's individual needs and achievements. We take note of the children's interests to make their learning fun and engaging.

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Dinosaurs

Baking

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We plan around the children, introducing new concepts and skills through thoughtful invitations. We also support and challenge previous learning through meaningful provocations. Learning in Early Years is holistic, meaning one invitation may cover multiple areas of development.

Our wonderful staff actively engage in children's learning by listening, modelling, questioning, and sharing in their awe, wonder, curiosity, and exploration.

We support children in making connections, sharing ideas, building relationships, and making sense of their experiences.

We encourage repetition of skills and time for children to explore in their learning as this supports young minds to make secure neuron connections.

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ST PIRAN’S SCHOOL | Supporting Development

All this is achieved through play!

Play is the most important way children learn, develop and refine skills. Einstein said, “Play is the highest form of research”. Throughout the natural world, animals learn through play. It is open-ended, and gives opportunities and self challenge, with limitless possibilities and endless interpretations.

Play supports: Creativity

Collaboration

Application

Building relationships

Communication

Perseverance

Making connections

Thoughtfulness

Kindness

Respect

Decision making

Self drive

Self regulation

Resiliance

If your child comes home saying they "just played," rest assured— it was so much more than that!

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Thank you for taking the time to learn about Pre-school and how we lay the foundation for your child's school journey.