Does your toddler or preschool throw a fit whenever he or she is asked to handle glue or paint in school? Does he or she ask to wash hands in the middle of an artwork activity? Don't fret - this is fairly common, especially with children who are faced with paste and paint for the first time. Sometimes they just need to get used to it and realize that it's harmless and ultimately, fun to use. You can help hasten the process by giving them their own glue, paints, and activities to do at home.
(1) GLUE/PASTE - I recommend Kumon's Let's Sticker and Paste activity book. It's fun, colorful, and age-appropriate. The first few activities involve putting stickers in the appropriate places (stickers are included in the book) such as sticking animals on a farm, winter clothing on a child, flowers on an apron, etc. The latter part involves cutting (to be done by an adult) and pasting activities to complete parts of animal faces, put together a vehicle, paste toys in a cabinet, etc. After going through the activities in this book, my toddler was no longer afraid to use glue in school and she became quite adept at properly aligning items to be pasted unto her worksheet.
(2) PAINT - Buy fingerpaint and let loose. Extra-large coloring books are best for first-time painters. You can also simply cover his/her hand in fingerpaint and teach him/her to make colorful handprints. You might want to invest in a smock or apron as well, to keep their clothes clean.
(3) If you feel that your child's fear or dislike of paint/glue goes beyond a mere case of ickiness, you might want to consider alternatives, such as using a paintbrush to apply glue. When in doubt, consult your teacher and/or pediatrician.
(4) ALWAYS check the labels to ensure that the glue and/or paint is non-toxic and safe for children.
(5) Make it clear to your child that the paint and/or glue is to be used for the given activity only. Stress that it is not something to be smeared liberally on the walls, flooring, or other people.
Showing posts with label Preschool education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preschool education. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
KIDS in Day School
Another Makati-based preschool that has gained a lot of positive reviews throughout several mommy blogs is KIDS in Day School in San Antonio Village. The most notable comments were the teachers' ability to prepare their students for the big schools and help particularly shy students to come out of their shell and shine. I've yet to visit the school myself, but the fact that nearly all their slots have been filled is testament to their popularity.
I did find one blog that mentioned that the school does not have a fire exit. Again, I have not confirmed this firsthand as I've yet to visit them, but this is definitely one thing I'll be asking when I do drop by.
I did find one blog that mentioned that the school does not have a fire exit. Again, I have not confirmed this firsthand as I've yet to visit them, but this is definitely one thing I'll be asking when I do drop by.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
St. Therese Nursery and Kindergarten School
We ventured to the outskirts of Makati, near Sta. Ana, Manila, to check out a preschool that has gotten rave reviews on several blogs and has a reputation for getting their students into the big schools - St. Therese Nursery and Kindergarten School. The directress, Teacher Angel, is very accommodating and allows you to preview a class so long as you schedule beforehand. Summer school is ongoing so this is a good time to have a trial class.
The school itself is spacious with a large garden and play area and clean, well-maintained, air-conditioned classrooms. However, it is not a "play school" (no fancy cushioned rooms with slides and toddler gyms here!); rather, it is an actual preschool that prepares children for the big schools. Their teaching method is eclectic/traditional.
Unfortunately, my daughter still found the actual school set-up daunting and refused to have a trial class. I do have every intention of returning next year, though. I was impressed by the facilities and it is quite difficult to find a traditional preschool in the Makati area.
The school itself is spacious with a large garden and play area and clean, well-maintained, air-conditioned classrooms. However, it is not a "play school" (no fancy cushioned rooms with slides and toddler gyms here!); rather, it is an actual preschool that prepares children for the big schools. Their teaching method is eclectic/traditional.
Unfortunately, my daughter still found the actual school set-up daunting and refused to have a trial class. I do have every intention of returning next year, though. I was impressed by the facilities and it is quite difficult to find a traditional preschool in the Makati area.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Gymboree and Little Gym
While scouting for a toddler school to prepare my daughter for the "big schools", we were lucky enough to attend the open house of two well-known preschools for toddlers - Gymboree and Little Gym.
Gymboree's toddlers program is held 3 times a week. Each class is around 2-2.5 hours with snack time. The curriculum is a mix of their regular toddler classes covering music, art, play, and learning lab (teaches basic concepts of writing, numbers, alphabet, dates, weather, etc.). The whole class is expected to follow the given schedule for the day. The open house started with learning about the day of the week and the weather, followed by a short music session where they play instruments and follow the movements of their teacher. Next up was an art activity involving paints and crafts. After cleaning up and snack time, the children were given a counting exercise. The session ends with exploring colors and writing through a LeapFrog desk. The whole session is peppered with songs to keep the children engaged.
Little Gym follows a progressive or play-based approach. Their toddler class is held twice a week and lasts for 2.5 hours. The first part of the class is spent in their gym. This part was skipped during the open house so we were not able to experience it. During the trial session, the classroom was divided into 4 sections where tables, chairs, and materials were set up. The class started with snack time (we were informed that all classes start this way). Afterwards, the children were allowed to explore the room and choose the activity they wanted, involving art, colors, and counting. There were always one or two teachers close at hand to assist with the activity, but it's generally left to the parent and child to finish the task. The next activity was story time. The children were free to choose any book from the shelves and give it to a teacher to read to them. My daughter was on her second book when a teacher suddenly announced that it was time to pack up and proceed to the next project. The teacher who was reading to her just closed the book (halfway through it) with my toddler still looking up at her expectantly. This was the only major pitfall for me. After the reading session, all the children were called to gather together and listen to the story of the hungry caterpillar. Once done, the goodbye song was sung and the children got their customary stamps.
Both Gymboree and Little Gym are more focused on activities and play than actual worksheets, though Gymboree uses LeapFrog for writing exercises while Little Gym does claim to use worksheets from time to time for toddlers. The key difference between the two is that Little Gym offers a more relaxed environment where the children are free to explore at their own pace and pursue their interests. Gymboree is more energetic and attempts to engage the children to follow a structured schedule. While I do see the merit in giving children their age the freedom to learn at their own pace through play, I'm leaning more towards Gymboree in preparing my daughter for the bigger schools, especially since I favor the traditional approach. Since she was able to follow instructions and complete the activities during the Gymboree open house, I think she will be able to cope with their learning system.
With regards to the tuition fees, there is little to no difference between the two schools once all the miscellaneous fees are included (I honestly don't know why this is a separate matter for both schools). The additional edge Gymboree offers is unlimited gymplay for members enrolled in their preschool. Little Gym only allows the use of their gym during an actual class/session.
Gymboree's toddlers program is held 3 times a week. Each class is around 2-2.5 hours with snack time. The curriculum is a mix of their regular toddler classes covering music, art, play, and learning lab (teaches basic concepts of writing, numbers, alphabet, dates, weather, etc.). The whole class is expected to follow the given schedule for the day. The open house started with learning about the day of the week and the weather, followed by a short music session where they play instruments and follow the movements of their teacher. Next up was an art activity involving paints and crafts. After cleaning up and snack time, the children were given a counting exercise. The session ends with exploring colors and writing through a LeapFrog desk. The whole session is peppered with songs to keep the children engaged.
Little Gym follows a progressive or play-based approach. Their toddler class is held twice a week and lasts for 2.5 hours. The first part of the class is spent in their gym. This part was skipped during the open house so we were not able to experience it. During the trial session, the classroom was divided into 4 sections where tables, chairs, and materials were set up. The class started with snack time (we were informed that all classes start this way). Afterwards, the children were allowed to explore the room and choose the activity they wanted, involving art, colors, and counting. There were always one or two teachers close at hand to assist with the activity, but it's generally left to the parent and child to finish the task. The next activity was story time. The children were free to choose any book from the shelves and give it to a teacher to read to them. My daughter was on her second book when a teacher suddenly announced that it was time to pack up and proceed to the next project. The teacher who was reading to her just closed the book (halfway through it) with my toddler still looking up at her expectantly. This was the only major pitfall for me. After the reading session, all the children were called to gather together and listen to the story of the hungry caterpillar. Once done, the goodbye song was sung and the children got their customary stamps.
Both Gymboree and Little Gym are more focused on activities and play than actual worksheets, though Gymboree uses LeapFrog for writing exercises while Little Gym does claim to use worksheets from time to time for toddlers. The key difference between the two is that Little Gym offers a more relaxed environment where the children are free to explore at their own pace and pursue their interests. Gymboree is more energetic and attempts to engage the children to follow a structured schedule. While I do see the merit in giving children their age the freedom to learn at their own pace through play, I'm leaning more towards Gymboree in preparing my daughter for the bigger schools, especially since I favor the traditional approach. Since she was able to follow instructions and complete the activities during the Gymboree open house, I think she will be able to cope with their learning system.
With regards to the tuition fees, there is little to no difference between the two schools once all the miscellaneous fees are included (I honestly don't know why this is a separate matter for both schools). The additional edge Gymboree offers is unlimited gymplay for members enrolled in their preschool. Little Gym only allows the use of their gym during an actual class/session.
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