FROM OUR DESK
Building early literacy skills at home
Literacy development is the process of learning words, sounds, and language. The acquisition of early literacy skills open_in_new begins in a child's first year when infants begin to discriminate, encode, and manipulate the sound structures of language, an ability called phonological awareness. Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read and write. It does not teach reading, drilling, or using flashcards. Taking part in literacy experiences at home can develop your child's reading ability, comprehension, and language skills. Parents can promote early literacy at home by creating a language-rich environment that fosters a love for reading and writing. Here are some practical ways to do so.
1. Read Aloud Daily
2. Create a Reading Space
3. Incorporate Books into Daily Routines
4. Talk and Listen
5. Sing Songs and Rhymes
6. Label Items Around the House
7. Encourage Scribbling and Drawing
8. Limit Screen Time and Provide Books Instead
9. Be a Role Model
10. Visit the Library.
By incorporating these activities into daily routines, parents can help foster a strong foundation for early literacy and a lifelong love of learning.
Swapnali Medhekar
Center Head
Kanakia Kids, Mira Road.
CLASSROOM CONNECTION
Every moment in our preschool is filled with connection and growth. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and collaboration, we create a warm, inclusive environment where each child feels valued. These connections lay the foundation for both academic and social-emotional development, making every day a joyful journey of discovery.
TEACHER FEATURE
Witnessing a child’s excitement as they discover something new through play is magical. As a preschool teacher, we believe that play-based learning lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. By offering open-ended materials and opportunities for choice, we empower our learners to take charge of their educational journey. Our passion lies in creating a supportive and engaging environment where the learners can thrive, explore, and grow.
Ms.Sweety Shah
NURSERY
ENGLISH
In the English session, learners explored the sound /e/ through a phonic story and illustrations that sparked their imaginations. They reinforced this by creating elephant prints with painted palms, enriching their phonetic awareness. During the S, A, T, P, I, N, C, K, and E recap at the literacy centre, they revisited and matched phonic sounds with corresponding pictures, solidifying their recognition of uppercase and lowercase letters. This review strengthened their foundational literacy skills and visual memory.
MATH
In the numeracy centre, learners used tweezers to place pom-poms on value cards for numbers 1 and 2, enhancing their fine motor skills and understanding of counting concepts. They also practiced drawing circles and triangles, deepening their grasp of shapes and spatial reasoning.
JR.KG
ENGLISH
The little ones embarked on an exciting journey to learn the letters K and E through engaging activities. They practised writing these letters and drew objects like a kite, key, elephant, and egg. To add fun, they participated in a "Roll the Dice" worksheet activity, blending creativity with learning. These sessions enhanced their language, literacy, and cognitive development, building confidence and essential skills for the future.
MATH
Cognitive development in preschool includes teaching children to understand and recognize different shapes, properties and uses. During this cycle, the shapes circles and triangles were reinforced to enhance their shape recognition skills. Additionally, backwards numbers were incorporated to help build a strong mathematical foundation, supporting overall cognitive development.
THEME
This month, our preschoolers explored personal hygiene and sensory awareness through engaging worksheets. They traced lines to match words with pictures of hygiene habits, discussed personal safety, and learned about acceptable and non-acceptable touch through a story. They also coloured the national flag, fostering creativity and national pride, and participated in sorting activities related to the senses of touch and taste, enhancing critical thinking and sensory awareness.
Role Play
This week, we organized an engaging role-playing exercise to teach the learners the importance of hygiene and how to keep themselves clean. The activity was designed to be both educational and fun, allowing the children to immerse themselves in the concept. Learners were dressed in various hygiene-related items, such as soap, toothbrushes, towels, and shampoo bottles. Through this imaginative play, they explored the role of each item in maintaining personal hygiene. The exercise not only reinforced the value of cleanliness but also made the learning experience lively and memorable.
SR.KG
ENGLISH
In our recent English session, learners engaged in various activities to reinforce their understanding of phonic sounds and long vowels. After a recap session, they practised identifying initial sounds in pictures through a worksheet exercise. They also enjoyed an interactive game sorting long vowel words, which further developed their reading skills. These activities helped strengthen their language and literacy skills, laying a solid foundation for reading simple sentences with confidence.
Math
Math isn't just about numbers; it's about exploring, enjoying, and learning about the world around us! In their math notebooks, learners delved into the fascinating world of numbers from 1 to 40 and practised counting backwards from 20 to 1. They also completed a worksheet with missing digits to reinforce their skills. This practice helped develop their logical thinking and memory retention, making learning an enjoyable experience.
Theme
This week, learners explored various topics through the theme method, enhancing their understanding through engaged experiences. They wrote the names of vegetables and body parts, boosting their vocabulary and reading skills. Recapitulation on personal hygiene and internal organs reinforced their knowledge. A fun 'Learn while you play' session included a game on personal health, where children competed in teams, further developing their language, social, emotional, and physical skills.
LITERACY CIRCLE
Jr.Kg
During our literacy circles, learners worked together to recognize all the letters of the alphabet and used this knowledge to read and write words. They enhanced their reading skills by blending sounds, pronouncing words, and tracing and writing them, reinforcing their understanding.
Sr.Kg
This week’s focus was on letter sounds, phonics, and sight words. Through shared reading and word games, learners enhanced their social skills and imaginative thinking. In the story "The Animals," they identified and underlined specific words, such as CVC and sight words, improving their word recognition and comprehension.
LIBRARY
Nursery
Library sessions captivate learners with vibrant pictorial books, igniting their imagination and nurturing a love for reading. These interactive books enhance vocabulary, comprehension, and cognitive skills while fostering curiosity. During the sessions, children eagerly explore touch-and-feel books, vividly describing the illustrations, enriching their language and literacy development.
HORTICULTURE
Nursery
This week in horticulture, learners observed and watered a money plant in water, fostering curiosity, empathy for nature, and a sense of responsibility. This hands-on activity enhanced their environmental awareness and connection to the natural world.
Jr.Kg
With their freshly made seed bombs in hand, our preschoolers eagerly embarked on the next step of their gardening journey - sowing in the soil! With gentle hands, the children placed their seed bombs in the soil and as they patted the soil down, we discussed the importance of water, sunlight, and care in helping their seeds grow. They also gave their newly planted seed bombs a refreshing drink by watering them. As we wait for the flowers to bloom, we're nurturing not only the seeds but also a love for nature, responsibility, and the joy of growth.
Sr.Kg
Horticulture is the art of cultivating and improving plants, offering a valuable connection to nature for both teachers and students. This week, our learners explored horticulture by sowing fenugreek seeds. The teacher demonstrated how to prepare the soil and scatter the seeds, and then the students planted the seeds themselves. Through this hands-on experience, they learned how seeds develop into saplings and gained a deeper understanding of nurturing plants.
STREAM
During the Jr.Kg session, the teacher narrated the story of the "Three Little Pigs" to the learners. They grasped the sequence of events in the story and were then given open-ended materials like straws, pop sticks, and blocks to construct the pigs' houses. The learners discussed why the brick house could withstand the wolf's huffing and puffing, relating it to the materials used.
Sr.Kg learners identified and named common community buildings such as schools, hospitals, fire stations, bakeries, and more. They understood the primary functions of these community buildings and the roles of the people who work in them. The learners then expressed their understanding by creatively drawing models of the community buildings.
ZUMBA
Nursery
This week, Nursery learners began their Zumba warm-up with the 'Ula Ula' dance. The session focused on breaking down the steps to ensure they grasped the moves. This activity supported their physical development by enhancing motor coordination and body awareness while blending dance with fitness.
Jr.Kg
Jr. KG learners started their Zumba warm-up this week with the 'Dance Dance Dance' Zumba song. The steps were broken down to help them easily follow along. This activity promoted their physical development, improving balance, coordination, and rhythm.
Sr.Kg
Sr.Kg learners also kicked off their Zumba warm-up this week with the 'Dance Dance Dance' Zumba song. The breakdown method was used to help them understand and master the steps, fostering physical development by refining their motor skills, flexibility, and coordination.
Events
Independence Day
"Unity in Diversity: Celebrating India's Independence Day"
Our preschoolers embarked on a fascinating journey across India, exploring the diverse cultures of its states, as we celebrated Independence Day with zeal and enthusiasm! To commemorate this special day, we organized a vibrant cultural showcase, where children depicted the rich heritage of various states. Our little learners proudly represented the unique traditions and customs of each state through a speech and a presentation. To commemorate this special day, we organized a fun-filled takeaway activity that combined art, craft and patriotism. As we celebrated India's freedom, we also celebrated the unity that binds us together, instilling in our young minds the values of tolerance, appreciation, and pride in our rich cultural heritage.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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