The preschool is a place where the vital keys of curiosity, imagination and creativity must be fostered within each child and at Mahatma Gading Preschool, whether in Nursery, K1 or K2 each day is orchestrated for discovery, with children set free to be curious, imaginative and creative. Listening to children’s questions as they seek to make sense of the world, their enthusiastic suggestions and predictions during storytelling, science and Montessori sessions, watching them at play, making music, dancing, sharing opinions with friends or busy with journals, art and craft work, is a delight.

Curiosity, the essence of scientific discovery, has come from being confident to try things out. Imagination has come from children being encouraged to experiment, with all attempts praised. Creativity has come from children being inspired by teachers to find a way to make sense of imaginative ideas and to play with those ideas to find out what works.

Our children have an attitude that every outcome is something that we can learn from and it is this joyful spirit that will enable each child to take on life’s challenges, turning their dreams into reality.

The Thematic Approach To Teaching and Learning

Dear Parents,
here is a brief introduction to our preschool curriculum, which has a thematic approach.

What do we mean by a ‘thematic approach’and how does it help children’s learning?

A thematic approach to teaching involves integrating all subject areas under one theme. It crosses over subject lines and helps children relate basic academic skills to real world ideas. Preschool children learn through interactive, integrated, hands on activities and themed units incorporate reading, maths, science, social studies and the arts, making for a well-balanced curriculum.

Using a thematic approach, teachers can engage children through making learning activities fun and varied. Each subject area is brought together under the umbrella of a certain topic, for example, family, community helpers, animals, plants, planets; we can also ask children about their interests and plan some themes around those.

Thematic units encourage the involvement of all our preschoolers through topics that spark children’s interest and enjoyment.

When children are interested and challenged, they will learn and be excited about school.

Our preschool programme involves children in developing language and literacy skills, through phonics, dramatic play, presentations and journals. Literacy and numeracy skills besides independence, grow day by day as children take part in activities that sometimes require quiet seatwork then moving on to group art projects, Montessori practical life skills, music and movement.