GIGI BYTES-EDITION- 5

FROM OUR DESK

Why Do We Ask Before We Teach?

Have you ever wondered why teachers ask questions before introducing a new topic? Questions like “What do you think?”, “Why do you think that happened?” or “What might happen next?” encourage children to think, observe, predict, and share their ideas.

In our preschool classrooms, open-ended and probing questions help teachers understand what children already know while encouraging them to make connections and explore new concepts. Rather than giving immediate answers, we give children the time and space to reason, express their thoughts, and discover possibilities.

This approach strengthens critical thinking, communication, vocabulary, observation, problem-solving, and confidence. Parents can encourage the same at home by asking, “How did you figure that out?”, “What do you think will happen?” or “What could we try next?”

When we encourage children to think before we teach, we nurture curious, confident, and independent learners who are excited to discover the world around them.

Swapnali Medhekar

Center Head

Kanakia Kids

CLASSROOM CONNECTION

Our little explorers enjoyed a week filled with creativity, imagination, movement, and hands-on learning. Through building, painting, songs, group activities, and individual tasks, learners developed creativity, collaboration, communication, independence, and confidence, making each learning experience joyful and meaningful.

NURSERY

ENGLISH

Learners explored the sounds /e/ and /h/ through creative activities and reinforced /s/, /a/, /t/, /p/, /i/, and /n/ through picture-sound matching. They practised sight words an, am, as, and at and explored the story Play Time. The sessions strengthened phonemic awareness, letter-sound recognition, early literacy, vocabulary, fine motor skills, and social-emotional understanding, particularly sharing and positive peer relationships.

MATH

Learners recapped numbers 1 and 2, explored oral counting 1–10, and identified the square through hands-on activities. They were also introduced to the colour blue using concrete objects and rhymes. The activities developed number sense, sequencing, shape recognition, visual discrimination, problem-solving, creativity, and gross motor coordination.

THEME

Under the theme “My House,” learners explored different types of houses, rooms, and objects associated with each room through pictures, flashcards, videos, and sorting activities. They also revisited the five senses. These experiences enhanced observation, classification, vocabulary, sensory awareness, and communication skills, enabling learners to relate learning to their everyday environment.

JR.KG

ENGLISH

Learners engaged in hands-on activities to recap s, a, t, i, p, n and the sounds Hh, Rr, Mm, Dd, Gg, Oo, Uu and Ll through clay, workbook and writing activities. They revised am words, sight words, and the story Linda’s Clean and Tidy Day. These experiences strengthened phonemic awareness, letter-sound correspondence, word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension, fine-motor skills, pencil control, and early reading confidence, while reinforcing the importance of cleanliness.

MATH

Learners explored numbers 16–20, sequencing, colours, patterns, and shapes through engaging hands-on activities. They practised number writing, created orange butterflies by mixing colours, identified rectangles, made a bus craft, and extended patterns. The activities developed number sense, colour and shape recognition, logical thinking, sequencing, creativity, fine-motor skills, and independent learning.

THEME

Learners explored sense organs, community helpers, and Independence Day through discussions, drawings, and colouring activities. They learnt about doctors and nurses, their roles, workplaces, and tools, and explored the National Flag. These experiences enhanced observation, communication, vocabulary, critical thinking, social awareness, fine-motor skills, and understanding of community and national celebrations.

SR.KG

ENGLISH

Learners revised sight words and explored long and short vowel sounds through rhyming, word families, CVC words, and workbook activities. They were introduced to “Myself” through an interactive “All About Me” pencil craft, creating self-portraits and writing simple sentences. These experiences strengthened phonological awareness, vocabulary, early writing, self-expression, and communication skills.

MATH

Learners explored 2D and 3D shapes, focusing on squares and cubes, through concrete objects and hands-on activities. They practised number names 11–20, skip counting by 2s, numbers 1–50, and backward counting 30–1. The activities developed number sense, sequencing, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, logical thinking, reasoning, and fine-motor skills.

THEME

Learners revisited healthy food and explored indoor and outdoor games and the role of a coach through stories, flashcards, puppets, and interactive games. The “Jump In, Jump Out” activity reinforced their understanding of game types while developing classification, listening, observation, communication, decision-making, gross-motor coordination, and social skills.

CIRCLE TIME

Nursery- Learners enthusiastically participated in stretching, jumping, balloon breathing, yoga, and sitting exercises. These activities developed body coordination, balance, breathing control, focus, and self-regulation, while encouraging learners to follow instructions confidently and participate cooperatively.

Jr.Kg- The children participated enthusiastically in Circle Time, beginning with simple exercises that promoted physical fitness, coordination, and energy. Positive affirmations further supported the development of self-confidence, self-awareness, and a positive mindset.

Sr.Kg- Circle Time encouraged learners to move, talk, share, and express themselves through exercises, fun facts, conversations, and emotion-based games. They learnt to identify, express, and manage different emotions, strengthening self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication, confidence, and social-emotional skills.

CIRCLE TIME- BREATHING EXERCISE.mp4

ACTIVITY

Nursery-Life skills activities such as buttoning, unbuttoning, napkin folding, and ball passing strengthened fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration, patience, independence, communication, and turn-taking. Learners also developed confidence in introducing themselves and interacting with peers.

Jr.Kg- As part of the Independence Day celebration, learners created colourful wall hangings and explored the significance of the national celebration. They expressed their creativity through “My Garden” and “My Home” drawings and formed different shapes using popsicle sticks, strengthening creativity, shape recognition, and fine-motor skills. Through buttoning and napkin-folding activities, learners developed independence, hand-eye coordination, concentration, and confidence in managing everyday tasks.

Sr.Kg- Learners journalled about “My Favourite Breakfast” and participated in Life Skills activities such as buttoning, unbuttoning, and folding clothes and napkins. These practical experiences developed independence, fine-motor coordination, concentration, confidence, neatness, and responsibility.

PHONICS READING

Nursery- Through the Fitzroy reading application, learners explored Bug on a Rug using picture cues and practised selected words from the story. The sessions enhanced word recognition, vocabulary, reading fluency, phonemic awareness, and comprehension, building confidence in early reading.

Jr.Kg- Learners explored The Mud Hut from the Fitzroy Reader through read-aloud sessions, word practice, and sound blending. They developed phonics skills, word recognition, reading fluency, vocabulary, expression, and comprehension, while building confidence and enjoyment in reading.

Sr.Kg-

HORTICULTURE

Nursery- Learners explored the garden and observed flowers based on their colour, shape, and size. The experience developed observation, curiosity, sensory awareness, environmental appreciation, and care for nature, while encouraging hands-on exploration.

Jr.Kg- Learners explored plant growth by sowing seeds in pots and learning about soil, watering, and plant care. The hands-on experience developed observation, responsibility, patience, environmental awareness, and care for living things, while encouraging learners to observe changes as their plants grow.

Sr.Kg- Learners created a simple watering schedule for their class plants and observed how regular watering supports healthy growth. The activity nurtured responsibility, observation, teamwork, patience, and care for nature, while helping learners understand the basic needs of plants.

LIBRARY

Nursery-Learners explored a variety of books by observing illustrations and interpreting stories through pictures. This nurtured imagination, visual literacy, observation, listening, vocabulary, and an early interest in reading.

Jr.Kg- Learners enjoyed an engaging library session as they explored colourful picture books, observed illustrations, and discussed characters and stories. The experience developed key competencies such as communication, active listening, observation, critical thinking, and social interaction. Learners confidently shared their ideas and strengthened their vocabulary, imagination, comprehension, and early literacy skills, while developing curiosity and a growing interest in books and reading.

Sr.Kg- Learners explored a variety of stories, observed illustrations, and shared their thoughts about characters and events. The session enhanced listening, vocabulary, communication, comprehension, imagination, and an appreciation for books and reading.

PLAYLAB

Nursery-Learners engaged in hands-on play experiences that encouraged creativity, imagination, collaboration, communication, sharing, and turn-taking. The activities supported social-emotional development, problem-solving, confidence, and independent exploration through joyful learning.

Jr.Kg- During free play, learners explored blocks, LEGO, and different play corners, making independent choices and creating structures. The experience fostered creativity, imagination, fine-motor skills, spatial awareness, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration, and social skills through joyful, cooperative play.

Sr.kg- Learners explored toys and manipulatives through building, sorting, creating, and experimenting. These playful experiences fostered curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, fine-motor coordination, teamwork, confidence, and independent exploration.

STREAM

Nursery- Learners joyfully recapped key concepts through interactive discussions and demonstrations. They recalled how flower pounding transfers colour, identified soluble and insoluble materials through the sugar-and-sand example, explored push and pull, distinguished day and night, and sorted objects as natural or man-made. The session strengthened observation, classification, recall, critical thinking, and scientific vocabulary, helping learners connect concepts with everyday experiences.

Jr. KG-Learners designed and built three houses using straw, popsicle sticks, and LEGO bricks and tested their strength by blowing air on them. They also revisited force and motion, animal habitats, weather, and the “Feel the Rocks” activity. These experiences developed problem-solving, creativity, observation, reasoning, collaboration, and an understanding of materials, structures, and scientific concepts.

Sr. KG- Learners participated in an interactive recap of gravity, density, force, and motion through simple demonstrations such as ball drops, floating and sinking liquids, and the bowling experiment. The session strengthened observation, prediction, reasoning, scientific vocabulary, and conceptual understanding, enabling learners to relate scientific concepts to real-life experiences.

MUSIC

Nursery-Our Nursery learners joyfully practised the song “Up Up Up and Shake” with actions and movements. They explored the shaker and played it along with the rhythm, learning to respond to beats and musical cues. The experience developed rhythm, listening skills, coordination, concentration, and musical awareness, while encouraging confident participation and joyful self-expression.

Jr.KG – Jr.KG learners enthusiastically practised “Up Up Up and Shake” while exploring the shaker and djembe. They learnt to maintain a steady beat and coordinate their movements with the music while singing and playing instruments together. The activity strengthened rhythm, listening, coordination, concentration, teamwork, and confidence through active musical participation.

Sr.KG – Sr.KG learners practised “Up Up Up and Shake” and were introduced to music conducting. Taking turns as conductors, they guided their classmates as a choir while responding to musical cues. This engaging experience nurtured leadership, listening, rhythm, coordination, confidence, teamwork, and communication skills, making music learning interactive and enjoyable.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Nursery- Flat Race with Cone and Ball Game

Nursery learners enthusiastically participated in a fun Flat Race with Cone and Ball Game. The children ran to collect the ball and carefully placed it on the cone before completing the race. The activity helped develop their gross motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, speed, agility, and spatial awareness, while also building confidence, body control, and active participation.

Jr. KG-Flat Race Circuit with Chair Racing Game

Jr. KG learners enthusiastically participated in the Flat Race Circuit with Chair Racing Game. The activity helped enhance their speed, balance, coordination, agility, and gross motor skills while encouraging learners to follow instructions, take turns, and work cooperatively. The children participated with excitement and demonstrated teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship throughout the session.

Sr. KG-Flat Race with Ice-Cream Cone and Ball Balance Game

Sr. KG learners enjoyed an exciting Flat Race with Ball Balance on an Ice-Cream Cone Walk. The learners carefully balanced the ball while walking, which helped develop their balance, hand-eye coordination, concentration, body control, and gross motor skills. The activity also encouraged perseverance, focus, confidence, and spatial awareness as learners successfully completed the challenging race with enthusiasm.

VISUAL ART

Nursery-Circle Art

Nursery learners explored the concept of circles through a fun and engaging art activity. Learners identified circular shapes in everyday objects such as the sun, wheels, fruits, and toys. They created their own Circle Art using circles of different sizes and colours, experimenting with shapes, patterns, and colour combinations. The activity helped develop shape recognition, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and fine-motor skills, while encouraging observation, colour exploration, and free artistic expression.

Jr. KG- Overlapping Shapes

Our creative learners explored the concept of overlapping shapes through a creative and engaging art activity. Learners experimented with geometric shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles and discovered how placing shapes partly over one another can create interesting patterns, forms, and visual effects. The activity helped develop shape recognition, spatial awareness, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and fine-motor skills, while encouraging observation, experimentation, and creative problem-solving.

Sr. KG- Collage Inspired by Henri Matisse

Our budding artists explored collage-making inspired by the renowned artist Henri Matisse. Learners observed his use of bold colours and organic shapes to create expressive compositions. Using scissors, they carefully cut different organic shapes from coloured paper and arranged them creatively on black-tinted sheets, experimenting with the placement, size, and combination of shapes. The activity helped develop creativity, fine-motor skills, scissor-handling skills, shape recognition, and spatial awareness, while strengthening artistic expression, visual observation, decision-making, and composition skills.

EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Raksha Bandhan celebration

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy at the preschool. Learners came dressed in colourful traditional attire, adding to the festive spirit. The celebration introduced learners to the significance of the festival and the values of love, care, respect, sharing, and togetherness.

As part of the celebration, learners participated in a creative Rakhi-Making Activity, where they made beautiful rakhis using colourful wool and adorable resin charms. The girls then lovingly tied the handmade rakhis on the boys’ wrists, symbolising the special bond of affection and care. The activity encouraged creativity, fine-motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and self-expression, while the celebration fostered social-emotional development, cultural awareness, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.The joyful celebration provided learners with a meaningful opportunity to learn about Indian traditions while creating happy memories with their peers.

National Sports Day

National Sports Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at the preschool to promote the importance of sports, physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Learners came dressed as their favourite sports personalities, using simple jerseys, caps, medals, and sports accessories to represent their chosen stars. They enthusiastically shared a few lines about their favourite sportsperson, building their confidence, communication, vocabulary, listening, and presentation skills.

The celebration also included a Sportsmanship Circle, where learners discussed qualities of a good sportsperson, such as teamwork, discipline, hard work, perseverance, respect, confidence, and determination. The event provided an enjoyable platform for learners to express themselves while developing social-emotional skills, cultural awareness, self-confidence, and an appreciation for sports and physical well-being.

📚 Parents’ Corner: Storytelling Time

Imagine • Tell • Listen • Create!

This month, we invite families to enjoy a special storytelling moment together. Set aside some quiet time to share a story with your child and make reading a fun, interactive experience. Encourage your child to listen, imagine, express ideas, and even add their own creative twist to the story.

Activity: My Story, My Way!

What you need:

Any favourite storybook or a familiar story
Simple props, toys, puppets, or household objects

What to do:

Choose a story that your child enjoys. Read or narrate it together using different voices, expressions, and actions. Pause and ask questions such as “What do you think will happen next?” or “What would you do if you were the character?”

Encourage your child to retell the story in their own words or create a different ending. They can also use simple props or make a drawing of their favourite part of the story.

📸 How to Submit

Once your storytelling activity is complete, kindly send a short video or a photograph of your child participating in the activity to school for the teacher’s record.

Let’s make storytelling a joyful family experience that nurtures language, imagination, creativity, confidence, listening, and communication skills. We can’t wait to hear our little storytellers’ wonderful tales! 📖✨🎭