GIGI BYTES EDITION 13

FROM OUR DESK

Screen Time vs. Play Time

In today’s digital world, screens have become a part of everyday life. While technology can be useful for learning and entertainment, young children benefit most from active play, real-world exploration, and social interaction. During the preschool years, children learn best through hands-on experiences building blocks, drawing, running, singing, storytelling, and imaginative play. These activities help develop important skills such as creativity, language, problem-solving, and social confidence.

Excessive screen time, on the other hand, can reduce opportunities for movement, conversation, and exploration. Experts recommend limiting screen use for young children and encouraging more play-based activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. As parents and educators, we can work together to create a healthy balance. Simple activities like reading a story together, playing outdoor games, building puzzles, or engaging in pretend play can make a big difference in a child’s development. Let us continue to support our little learners by giving them plenty of opportunities to explore, imagine, and grow through play.

Swapnali Medhekar

Center Head

Kanakia Kids,Mira Road

NURSERY

ENGLISH

Learners practiced writing the letters u, b, i, t, and l, strengthening their early writing and letter recognition skills. Sight words were introduced using flashcards and repetition to support improved recognition. Learners also enjoyed the story “The Little Rainbow” through an interactive puppet theatre experience, followed by a recap with guiding questions to encourage recall and expression. These activities supported the development of early reading, writing, listening, vocabulary, creativity, and fine motor skills.

MATH

This week, the concepts fat–thin and in–out were introduced through fun, hands-on activities to create a well-rounded learning experience. As a reflection activity, learners used clay to make a snowman and Olaf, comparing the concepts of fat and thin while developing observation skills and vocabulary. Learners also revisited colours through an engaging sorting activity, where they identified and sorted pictures into different coloured jars. This activity strengthened their colour recognition, visual discrimination, and early classification skills.

THEME

The introduction to farm animals was conducted using flashcards, pictures, and audio recordings of animal sounds. Learners learned about the food animals eat, the homes they live in, and the names of their young ones. They repeated the animal names, imitated their sounds, and matched them with their food, homes, and young ones through an interactive activity. A PowerPoint presentation was also used for effective recapitulation and to enhance visual learning. Learners further reinforced their understanding by completing a workbook activity. These activities helped develop listening, speaking, and observation skills.

JR.KG

ENGLISH

Learners participated in engaging and interactive activities that strengthened their early reading and speaking skills. The week began with a sound game worksheet that helped them identify and practise letter sounds. They also revised the “a,” “e,” and “i” family CVC words, reinforcing their understanding of simple three-letter word patterns.

Learners were introduced to the “o” family CVC words and practised writing them neatly in their notebooks. A picture talk on wild animals encouraged them to observe, describe, and share their ideas, building vocabulary and confidence in speaking. The story “Fur and Feathers – A Special Friendship” was narrated to develop listening skills and emphasise the value of friendship. Learners were also introduced to the “u” family CVC words to support further reading and writing practice.

MATH

Our young learners actively participated in a variety of hands-on activities that helped strengthen their understanding of foundational mathematical concepts. Learners were introduced to the numbers 45, 46, 47, and 48, and they practised recognising and writing these numbers. They were also introduced to the number name “9 – Nine” and practised reading and writing it.

To strengthen their number sense, learners completed an activity in which they wrote the before numbers on a loose sheet, helping them understand number sequencing. Learners also drew and practised shapes such as a heart, star, and oval as dictated by the teacher. An oral recap of number names was conducted to reinforce previous learning. Additionally, the concept of big and small was revised through a worksheet activity where learners coloured the bigger objects and circled the smaller ones.

THEME

Learners explored different categories of animals through engaging discussions and activities. They learned about aerial animals such as parrots, crows, and pigeons, and matched animals to their habitats, such as lions in deserts.

They also discovered aquatic animals like fish, octopus, starfish, and dolphins, and learned about polar animals such as penguins, walruses, and seals. Through workbook activities, learners reinforced their understanding of animal homes and lifestyles. Activities included circling pet animals, matching animals to their habitats, and exploring where animals live, making learning both enjoyable and interactive.

SR.KG

ENGLISH

Learners participated in a variety of engaging English activities that strengthened their speaking, reading, and writing skills. The week began with an oral introduction to the composition “My Favourite Animal – Dog,” where learners confidently shared their thoughts. They also independently wrote the composition “My Favourite Animal” in their notebooks.

Learners were introduced to the digraphs th, ar, and er through oral explanations and workbook practice. They also explored Describing Words using charts, flashcards, and concrete objects. The concept of Picture Composition was introduced through the topic “Mango,” where learners observed the picture and wrote simple sentences. The week concluded with an introduction to Punctuation Marks, followed by workbook exercises to practise their correct usage.

MATH

This week, learners were introduced to different shades such as mustard, olive, brown, and maroon through engaging discussions and the rhyme “Crayons.” This activity helped children recognize and identify various colour shades in a fun and interactive way.

Learners practised writing numbers from 1 to 100 in their notebooks using the Hundreds, Tens, and Ones concept. They were also introduced to vertical addition and subtraction and learned to compare numbers using the greater than, lesser than, and equal to signs. Through these activities, learners developed a stronger understanding of colour recognition, number sense up to 100, and basic mathematical operations while strengthening their overall numeracy skills.

THEME

This week, learners explored the fascinating world of animals and plants through a variety of engaging activities. As part of their portfolio work, learners created a Venn diagram to understand the differences and similarities between herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous animals.

Learners also revisited the story through a poster-making activity on “Save Animals,” encouraging them to express their ideas about caring for animals. The class was introduced to the parts of a plant through an interesting story titled “The Adventure of Seedy the Seed.”

ACTIVITY

Nursery

This week, learners engaged in fun and relaxing activities. They enjoyed a creative journaling task in which they drew their favourite pets, encouraging imagination while developing hand–eye coordination. Each day began with refreshing brain breaks and simple yoga stretches to help learners feel energised and ready to learn. During the phonics session, learners revised sounds from A to Z and used clay to practise letter formation, strengthening their letter recognition and fine motor skills in an enjoyable way.

Jr.Kg

During the Activity session, Junior KG learners participated in engaging tasks that supported their language development and observation skills. Learners used picture flashcards of different alphabets to form CVC words, helping them connect letter sounds with pictures and build simple three-letter words in a fun, hands-on way. They also observed animal picture flashcards and spoke about the animals they saw, encouraging them to express their thoughts, build vocabulary, and gain confidence in speaking. These centre table activities made learning enjoyable while strengthening phonics and communication skills.

Sr.Kg

During activity time, learners actively participated in engaging revision tasks. They revised their sight words through an interactive Sight Word Splat activity, which made learning both fun and meaningful. This activity reinforced word recognition and encouraged active participation. Learners also revised previously taught rhymes, confidently reciting them with enthusiasm. In addition, they practised their writing skills by copying sentences displayed on the TV screen, which helped strengthen their reading and writing abilities. The session provided an enjoyable and effective way for learners to revise important concepts while building confidence in their language skills.

READING PROGRAM

Nursery

Learners explored the Fitzroy Reader story “The Picnic” using the reader book along with audio-visual support. They observed the illustrations, followed the storyline, and participated enthusiastically. This activity helped develop their listening skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and interest in early reading.

Jr.Kg

During the reading programme, the teacher first presented the story “The Bus Stop” on the screen and explained the storyline, characters, and key events. The learners watched the presentation with great interest and listened attentively. Learners opened the story in their books and read along with the teacher, repeating the sentences with proper pronunciation. This activity supported the development of reading fluency and comprehension skills.

The teacher also asked a few questions related to the story to assess understanding. Learners further completed a workbook activity in which they filled in the missing letters for the associated pictures, helping strengthen their phonics, reading, and comprehension skills

PLAY LAB

During the Play Lab session, learners actively engaged with a wide range of materials and activities. Their enthusiasm fostered creativity, imagination, social interaction, and meaningful learning through play. The objective of the session was to encourage exploration and curiosity through hands-on experiences, while promoting imaginative thinking, collaboration, and the development of problem-solving and fine motor skills. As a result, learners demonstrated increased creativity and confidence, engaged positively with their peers, and showed growth in communication, coordination, and independent exploration.

HORTICULTURE

To foster environmental awareness and responsibility, a horticulture activity was organised in the school. Learners were encouraged to bring plant saplings from home and actively participate in the planting activity. With great joy and enthusiasm, the children planted the saplings in the school garden, making the experience both engaging and meaningful. They also reflected on their learning by creatively drawing the parts of a plant, which helped them recall their observations while strengthening their creativity, understanding of plant parts, and fine motor skills. Such initiatives help cultivate a sense of responsibility, respect for nature, and an early appreciation for environmental conservation among young learners.

Nursery-Topic: Parachute with Colourful Balls Game

Nursery learners had great fun playing the Parachute with Colourful Balls game. The children worked together to shake and lift the parachute, making the colourful balls bounce and move in different directions. This activity encouraged teamwork while helping develop coordination, listening skills, and gross motor abilities. It was a joyful and energetic session filled with laughter and excitement.

Jr. Kg-Topic: Flat Race with Colourful Cones

Learners enjoyed an exciting Flat Race with Colourful Cones. The children ran confidently between the cones, practicing speed, balance, and coordination. The activity helped improve their gross motor skills and focus while encouraging healthy competition and teamwork. It was a fun-filled and energetic session for everyone.

Sr. Kg-Topic: Baseball Game

Sr.Kg learners had a wonderful time playing a Baseball Game. The children practiced batting, throwing, and catching, which helped strengthen their hand–eye coordination and motor skills. They also learned the importance of teamwork, taking turns, and encouraging their friends. It was an energetic and enjoyable sports session for all.

STREAM

Nursery
Nursery learners developed a basic understanding that living things have special features that help them survive. Through the concept of camouflage, the children learned that some animals have colors and patterns that help them blend into their surroundings to stay safe from predators. This activity encouraged observation skills and helped learners understand how nature helps animals protect themselves.

Jr. Kg
Jr. Kg learners developed a basic understanding of extinction and learned that some animals that lived long ago, such as dinosaurs and mammoths, are no longer on Earth. They understood that changes in the environment and climate can affect living organisms, and when animals cannot survive these changes, they may become extinct. Learners were also introduced to the concept of a weather forecast. They learned that it tells us what the weather will be like sunny, rainy, cloudy, or windy and that scientists called meteorologists study and predict the weather.

Sr. Kg
During the STREAM session, Sr. Kg learners developed listening and comprehension skills through the story “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” They understood the sequence of events and identified the problem and solution in the story. Learners also explored basic concepts of design, balance, and stability while applying creativity and problem-solving skills. They learned that the Sun is an important natural source of energy that provides heat and light to the Earth, and observed how different materials heat up when placed under sunlight.

ZUMBA

Nursery
The session began with an energetic warm-up that got the learners moving and excited for the class. They enthusiastically revised the song “S-Cool” and practiced the steps with great energy. The learners were then introduced to another fun Zumba track, “Shake Your Boom Boom.” The steps were taught with a clear breakdown to help them follow along easily. The children also performed in small groups, which added to the excitement while helping build their confidence and strengthen their memory skills.

Jr. Kg
The session kicked off with a lively warm-up that filled the room with energy and excitement. This was followed by a fun Zumba routine on the song “Zumbazoka.” The steps were explained with a clear breakdown, making it easy for the learners to understand and enjoy the movements. After practicing the steps, the class came together to perform the routine with enthusiasm and joyful participation.

Sr. Kg
The Zumba session began with an exciting Zumba Brain Break warm-up that energized the learners and got them ready to move. The class then danced to the lively song “Te Mueves En El Party.” The steps were taught using a step-by-step breakdown method, allowing learners to practice each movement slowly and confidently. Once they became familiar with the steps, they joyfully performed the full routine together with the music, filling the class with energy and enthusiasm.

Event – Children’s Council

Cultivating Young Minds: Environment Ministry in Action

As part of an initiative by the Environment Ministry, our young learners embarked on a meaningful journey towards sustainability through creative and hands-on activities. In a wonderful display of school–home partnership, students collaborated with their parents to transform everyday recycled materials into imaginative “Best Out of Waste” creations. This activity not only sparked creativity but also encouraged children to explain their design processes and understand the value of repurposing resources. Our green initiatives were further strengthened as learners contributed saplings to the school garden, symbolizing their commitment to caring for the environment.

Throughout the process, children showed great curiosity and participated in discussions about the important role plants play in our daily lives. By observing the growth of their saplings, learners are developing an early understanding of the responsibility required to nurture living things. We were particularly impressed by the pride they showed while explaining how their upcycled creations were made. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents for their active participation in making this initiative a blooming success.

Holi Celebration

Our learners turned their classrooms into a kaleidoscope of colours this week while celebrating Holi. Using spoons, droppers, and plenty of “splat power,” our mini-artists created vibrant Holi cards. By splashing watered-down paints across their paper, they explored colour mixing while expressing the lively spirit of the festival. It was a joyful morning filled with messy hands and bright smiles—a perfect way to welcome the festival of colours.

Science Day – Mini Scientists, Massive Discoveries!

On National Science Day, our kindergarten classrooms transformed into bustling laboratories. While the world celebrates the legacy of Sir C. V. Raman, our young learners discovered that you don’t need a lab coat to be a scientist just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Through simple experiments involving mixing, pouring, and observing, learners realised that science exists everywhere in bubbles, colours, and the plants around them. These activities helped develop curiosity, observation skills, and critical thinking, while nurturing a lifelong love for discovery.

Art Exhibition – Little Hands, Big Masterpieces!

Our hallways transformed into a vibrant gallery during the Kindergarten Art Exhibition, where our youngest artists proudly displayed their creativity. From colourful finger paintings to creative clay modelling, every corner celebrated imagination and the joy of trying something new. The exhibition was not just about the finished artwork—it was about building confidence, creativity, and self-expression. Art is the language of the soul, and our young learners expressed it beautifully through their wonderful creations.