Enhancing Observational Skills
Enhancing Observational Skills
during Early Years
during Early Years
Embedded Files
Enhancing Observational Skills during Early Years
Enhancing Observational Skills during Early Years
Children with keen observation skills collect information and form questions. This is the basis of inquiry and it leads to discovery and learning. Observation involves the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
Children with keen observation skills collect information and form questions. This is the basis of inquiry and it leads to discovery and learning. Observation involves the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
Teachers, parents and caregivers can engage children in activities designed to sharpen their competence in observation. These endeavors boost memory and calm restless children.
Teachers, parents and caregivers can engage children in activities designed to sharpen their competence in observation. These endeavors boost memory and calm restless children.
Learning how to observe is a very important skill for children. By making observations, we learn about the world around us. Our observations help answer questions. We use observations to make predictions. Observations lead to further questions and investigations. It is important to develop strong observation skills during early years.
Learning how to observe is a very important skill for children. By making observations, we learn about the world around us. Our observations help answer questions. We use observations to make predictions. Observations lead to further questions and investigations. It is important to develop strong observation skills during early years.
We can teach children that to observe something is to pay close attention to something. Use their five senses where appropriate: seeing; hearing; touching; smelling; tasting. Children must be taught they should only touch or taste something if an adult says it is safe.
We can teach children that to observe something is to pay close attention to something. Use their five senses where appropriate: seeing; hearing; touching; smelling; tasting. Children must be taught they should only touch or taste something if an adult says it is safe.
Kids pay attention to detail so it can be beneficial when parents engage in communicating with their child and use words for all tiny activities being done like standing, walking, sitting etc so that the child understands by observing the actions.
Kids pay attention to detail so it can be beneficial when parents engage in communicating with their child and use words for all tiny activities being done like standing, walking, sitting etc so that the child understands by observing the actions.
While it is easy to involve the kid in games, adding the element of observation and giving the games that sort of touch can also boost their skills. For instance, playing games like recognition of things in the room, identifying the colors outdoors, playing with blocks of specific colors and shapes etc.
While it is easy to involve the kid in games, adding the element of observation and giving the games that sort of touch can also boost their skills. For instance, playing games like recognition of things in the room, identifying the colors outdoors, playing with blocks of specific colors and shapes etc.
Engaging in random question-answer sessions during leisure time encourages the child to observe things in-depth and retain it for further such sessions. One can make questions like colors, shapes, sounds etc a part of the activity and then tell them more about it.
Engaging in random question-answer sessions during leisure time encourages the child to observe things in-depth and retain it for further such sessions. One can make questions like colors, shapes, sounds etc a part of the activity and then tell them more about it.
Reading out stories, enacting rhymes, and narratives can catch the attention of kids to the rhythm and intonation and actions used will also aid in improving their skills as to observe how these gestures and postures are used.
Reading out stories, enacting rhymes, and narratives can catch the attention of kids to the rhythm and intonation and actions used will also aid in improving their skills as to observe how these gestures and postures are used.
We can also remind children that observing something well means to see things from different angles, places, times and over time. The longer the time you have to make observations, the better the information will be.
We can also remind children that observing something well means to see things from different angles, places, times and over time. The longer the time you have to make observations, the better the information will be.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Purva Deosugur,
Purva Deosugur,
Headmistress,
Headmistress,
Olive Trails-Dahisar
Olive Trails-Dahisar
World Mental Health Day Celebration
World Mental Health Day Celebration
World Mental Health Day is celebrated across the globe on 10th October every year. It is aimed at educating people and spreading awareness about the importance of mental health and how one should never neglect their mental health issues.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated across the globe on 10th October every year. It is aimed at educating people and spreading awareness about the importance of mental health and how one should never neglect their mental health issues.
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
Topics with regards to mental health and self control were discussed with our Nursery, Junior K.G and Senior K.G. learners.
Topics with regards to mental health and self control were discussed with our Nursery, Junior K.G and Senior K.G. learners.
Questions like, How do you take care of your mental health? What is self control ? were discussed.
Questions like, How do you take care of your mental health? What is self control ? were discussed.
They were explained about how to stop, think and make choices. For eg. If I wish to What should I do now ? What is best for me right now ? The choice is -I want to yell out my answer before the teacher finishes talking and be the first to talk or else I have to wait until she finishes, raise my hand, wait until I am called to talk. For our physical fitness we do exercises, for mental health we can do yoga, meditation and pranayam, etc. likewise to take care of our mental health.
They were explained about how to stop, think and make choices. For eg. If I wish to What should I do now ? What is best for me right now ? The choice is -I want to yell out my answer before the teacher finishes talking and be the first to talk or else I have to wait until she finishes, raise my hand, wait until I am called to talk. For our physical fitness we do exercises, for mental health we can do yoga, meditation and pranayam, etc. likewise to take care of our mental health.
For our nursery, Junior K.G and Senior K.G learners we also played a game. Wherein learners were asked one thing that makes them happy, sad, excited, angry, one good choice they made today, etc. They executed their feelings as per their choice. The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show your friends, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their and everyone's mental health. All three grades indulged in an activity of making symbol/sign of Mental Health awareness with the help of green ribbon, with tinted paper or green pipe cleaner and discussed how they can share that ribbon with others to spread awareness about mental health.
For our nursery, Junior K.G and Senior K.G learners we also played a game. Wherein learners were asked one thing that makes them happy, sad, excited, angry, one good choice they made today, etc. They executed their feelings as per their choice. The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show your friends, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their and everyone's mental health. All three grades indulged in an activity of making symbol/sign of Mental Health awareness with the help of green ribbon, with tinted paper or green pipe cleaner and discussed how they can share that ribbon with others to spread awareness about mental health.
field trip to aquarium
field trip to aquarium
Field trips enrich and expand the curriculum, strengthen observation skills by immersing children into sensory activities, increase children's knowledge in a particular subject area and expand children's awareness of their own community. And everyone you speak with has a field trip memory. Through audio visual slideshows, classroom activities along with Q&A rounds, the students can inculcate the lessons learned during the educational tour.
Field trips enrich and expand the curriculum, strengthen observation skills by immersing children into sensory activities, increase children's knowledge in a particular subject area and expand children's awareness of their own community. And everyone you speak with has a field trip memory. Through audio visual slideshows, classroom activities along with Q&A rounds, the students can inculcate the lessons learned during the educational tour.
Olive Trails learners ventured for the virtual field trip to the Aquarium. Where they encountered many different types of marine animals under the blue water. Such as Ray fish, X-ray fish, different coloured varieties of fishes, whale, shark, Jelly fish, seal fish, Big Dolphins, plants and corals, Spotted Sharks, and many more.
Olive Trails learners ventured for the virtual field trip to the Aquarium. Where they encountered many different types of marine animals under the blue water. Such as Ray fish, X-ray fish, different coloured varieties of fishes, whale, shark, Jelly fish, seal fish, Big Dolphins, plants and corals, Spotted Sharks, and many more.
Our learners gained rich information about marine life. After the trip they discussed about what all they observed during the trip and were also able to answer questions related to the trip. Field trips offer a unique learning social environment to the students. It becomes a different social environment for students apart from their school.
Our learners gained rich information about marine life. After the trip they discussed about what all they observed during the trip and were also able to answer questions related to the trip. Field trips offer a unique learning social environment to the students. It becomes a different social environment for students apart from their school.
Curious Explorers - nursery - Be Cautious / Bob the Builder
Curious Explorers - nursery - Be Cautious / Bob the Builder
Young children learn best through their own curiosity and discovery. By observing their environment and peers, interacting with their surroundings, and obeying their instincts and impulses in a safe, educational space, children are able to craft their own education.
Young children learn best through their own curiosity and discovery. By observing their environment and peers, interacting with their surroundings, and obeying their instincts and impulses in a safe, educational space, children are able to craft their own education.
Our nursery learners indulged in a knowledge building activity - Be cautious construction sign board. For this activity, they had taken square shape art paper and yellow watercolor sponge dabbing on the square paper was done by them. As they observed that when red and yellow colour mixed together it formed orange colour. Again they took art paper and did sponge dabbing with orange colour. In the center a yellow square was pasted on the orange rectangle shape paper. Then they folded it from the center so that it would stand in triangle cone format.
Our nursery learners indulged in a knowledge building activity - Be cautious construction sign board. For this activity, they had taken square shape art paper and yellow watercolor sponge dabbing on the square paper was done by them. As they observed that when red and yellow colour mixed together it formed orange colour. Again they took art paper and did sponge dabbing with orange colour. In the center a yellow square was pasted on the orange rectangle shape paper. Then they folded it from the center so that it would stand in triangle cone format.
Caution Sign!!! The board was ready. Teacher explained that this sign is used on construction sites. We get ALERT! that we have to be careful ahead and should not go beyond that sign to be safe and should not get hurt. Be Cautious!!!.They were asked questions like have they seen construction sign board near their house, recognizing the colour and shapes. etc.
Caution Sign!!! The board was ready. Teacher explained that this sign is used on construction sites. We get ALERT! that we have to be careful ahead and should not go beyond that sign to be safe and should not get hurt. Be Cautious!!!.They were asked questions like have they seen construction sign board near their house, recognizing the colour and shapes. etc.
Our tiny tots were taught another activity - our favorite motivating construction character 'Bob' the Builder. In this activity they used a paper plate scribbled with pink colour. For Bob’s cap they stuck a yellow colour semi circle on the paper plate. They drew eyes, nose and smiley on the face and 2 circle cutouts ears were stuck on the plate. Finally they completed by sticking an ice cream stick backside to create BOB's stick puppet. How Bob the Builder worked in the construction site with his team was narrated to them and explained by showcasing a video.
Our tiny tots were taught another activity - our favorite motivating construction character 'Bob' the Builder. In this activity they used a paper plate scribbled with pink colour. For Bob’s cap they stuck a yellow colour semi circle on the paper plate. They drew eyes, nose and smiley on the face and 2 circle cutouts ears were stuck on the plate. Finally they completed by sticking an ice cream stick backside to create BOB's stick puppet. How Bob the Builder worked in the construction site with his team was narrated to them and explained by showcasing a video.
These activities helped the learners to develop their Fine motor skill and pincer grasp development, learning of construction signs, Fine & gross motor skills development and fun learning of construction popular character.
These activities helped the learners to develop their Fine motor skill and pincer grasp development, learning of construction signs, Fine & gross motor skills development and fun learning of construction popular character.
Exploration promotes curiosity and discovery while limiting the fear of failure.
Exploration promotes curiosity and discovery while limiting the fear of failure.
theme - nursery - my pet Chicken
theme - nursery - my pet Chicken
Farming teaches kids why and how different animals receive different feed, require different types of shelter and need different care at different times. It teaches kids to be aware, observant and alert to the different animal needs. Observing and caring for an animal instills a sense of responsibility and respect for life. By engaging children in stories about farm animals, you're teaching them how to love and care about the creatures in our world. It builds upon their natural curiosity to help them understand that animals also need to be warm, fed, and cared for, and that also translates into caring about others.
Farming teaches kids why and how different animals receive different feed, require different types of shelter and need different care at different times. It teaches kids to be aware, observant and alert to the different animal needs. Observing and caring for an animal instills a sense of responsibility and respect for life. By engaging children in stories about farm animals, you're teaching them how to love and care about the creatures in our world. It builds upon their natural curiosity to help them understand that animals also need to be warm, fed, and cared for, and that also translates into caring about others.
For imparting further knowledge about farm animals - My Pet Chicken activity was done with our tiny tots of nursery. For this activity they took a paper cup, painted it with yellow colour and pasted left and right yellow tinted paper wings cutouts, 2 googly eyes with red circle and head gear. They were eager to see their very own, self created Pet Chicken. Such activities encourage learners to engage on multiple levels, promoting cognitive and motor development. Students will be able to make connections and understand the interconnections of new concepts.
For imparting further knowledge about farm animals - My Pet Chicken activity was done with our tiny tots of nursery. For this activity they took a paper cup, painted it with yellow colour and pasted left and right yellow tinted paper wings cutouts, 2 googly eyes with red circle and head gear. They were eager to see their very own, self created Pet Chicken. Such activities encourage learners to engage on multiple levels, promoting cognitive and motor development. Students will be able to make connections and understand the interconnections of new concepts.
Curious explorers - junior kg - connecting Stars
Curious explorers - junior kg - connecting Stars
The night sky is like a giant puzzle. Which makes our kids curious all the time . They always have so many questions ready in their mind. So in our fun way, our learners were imparted with knowledge about how stars look, and how by connecting stars they can understand about constellation.
The night sky is like a giant puzzle. Which makes our kids curious all the time . They always have so many questions ready in their mind. So in our fun way, our learners were imparted with knowledge about how stars look, and how by connecting stars they can understand about constellation.
The kids understood that viewing constellations is just like playing connect the dots—in the sky!
The kids understood that viewing constellations is just like playing connect the dots—in the sky!
Our kids tried their hand on the activity -Connecting stars. In this engagement our learners took a black sheet of paper. They stuck different colour star cut outs all over the sheet, then they connected each star using white crayons. And this how they learned about Constellations that is a groups of stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth.
Our kids tried their hand on the activity -Connecting stars. In this engagement our learners took a black sheet of paper. They stuck different colour star cut outs all over the sheet, then they connected each star using white crayons. And this how they learned about Constellations that is a groups of stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth.
Such engaging activities helps the child develop fine motor skills, encourages visual analysis, helps establish concentration, improves eye hands coordination, increases individual confidence and teaches creative problem solving.
Such engaging activities helps the child develop fine motor skills, encourages visual analysis, helps establish concentration, improves eye hands coordination, increases individual confidence and teaches creative problem solving.
Citizenship - junior kg - maharashtra gANESHA
Citizenship - junior kg - maharashtra gANESHA
At Olive trails our pedagogies focus upon overall Development of our kids. Keeping up with this approach, an activity of Citizenship-Maharashtra was held for our JUNIOR KG Learners. In this activity the learners learned about one of the most important festivals of Maharashtra “Ganesh Chaturthi”. It is a Ten day festival in which the Elephant God Ganesha is worshipped. Our Learners created a replica of Lord Ganesh by arranging the cashew nuts. All the young learners enjoyed creating their very own Ganesha in an innovative way. This unique activity really helped to develop their aesthetic and fine motors skills. This activity was surely a good learning from optimum utilization of resources.
At Olive trails our pedagogies focus upon overall Development of our kids. Keeping up with this approach, an activity of Citizenship-Maharashtra was held for our JUNIOR KG Learners. In this activity the learners learned about one of the most important festivals of Maharashtra “Ganesh Chaturthi”. It is a Ten day festival in which the Elephant God Ganesha is worshipped. Our Learners created a replica of Lord Ganesh by arranging the cashew nuts. All the young learners enjoyed creating their very own Ganesha in an innovative way. This unique activity really helped to develop their aesthetic and fine motors skills. This activity was surely a good learning from optimum utilization of resources.
english - junior kg - mind mapping
english - junior kg - mind mapping
Mind mapping is a graphical way through which our learners express their ideas, concept, creativity, imagination and thinking on a sheet of paper. The mind mapping expands child’s logical, verbal, visual and interpersonal intelligence. An effective learning technique, which helps our young buds to develop verbal, communicative and cognitive skills.
Mind mapping is a graphical way through which our learners express their ideas, concept, creativity, imagination and thinking on a sheet of paper. The mind mapping expands child’s logical, verbal, visual and interpersonal intelligence. An effective learning technique, which helps our young buds to develop verbal, communicative and cognitive skills.
After reading the book Floppy’s bone they got the opportunity to express their ideas and thoughts on paper. Our learners after reading the book took their art book and drew their favorite characters and objects. Though this can very well relate with story and its character, the main idea is to represent the knowledge through drawing and diagram.
After reading the book Floppy’s bone they got the opportunity to express their ideas and thoughts on paper. Our learners after reading the book took their art book and drew their favorite characters and objects. Though this can very well relate with story and its character, the main idea is to represent the knowledge through drawing and diagram.
Curious Explorers - senior kg - My Favourite Bunch
Curious Explorers - senior kg - My Favourite Bunch
Touching and feeling pistachio shells can be a nice sensory experience for a child. Using pistachio shells is very easy and fun way to help learners to paint and create a craft. It’s a great idea to use pistachio shells to recycle and create artworks. Kids are bound to come up with something fun and creative! Learners love to see how tiny the shells are and can enjoy using them for sensory and imaginary play. Various craft activities can be taught to kids as they can make the final output and can use for their home décor. We conducted an interesting activity for our senior KG learners which was “MY FAVOURITE BUNCH”. For this activity learners were asked to paste pistachio shells on the sheet of paper, they were asked to mix red and blue poster colours in a palette and then make imprint of the pistachio shells and form a bunch of grapes. Later, they were asked to stick the leaf cut out or draw a leaf with green crayon on top of the bunch. Learners were very happy and engaged while doing this activity.
Touching and feeling pistachio shells can be a nice sensory experience for a child. Using pistachio shells is very easy and fun way to help learners to paint and create a craft. It’s a great idea to use pistachio shells to recycle and create artworks. Kids are bound to come up with something fun and creative! Learners love to see how tiny the shells are and can enjoy using them for sensory and imaginary play. Various craft activities can be taught to kids as they can make the final output and can use for their home décor. We conducted an interesting activity for our senior KG learners which was “MY FAVOURITE BUNCH”. For this activity learners were asked to paste pistachio shells on the sheet of paper, they were asked to mix red and blue poster colours in a palette and then make imprint of the pistachio shells and form a bunch of grapes. Later, they were asked to stick the leaf cut out or draw a leaf with green crayon on top of the bunch. Learners were very happy and engaged while doing this activity.
Horticulture - senior kg - Planting Seeds
Horticulture - senior kg - Planting Seeds
“Blessed are those who sow. Every seed you so plant, will grow into bountiful crops for great harvest.” Seeds generally "wake up" and germinate when soil moisture and temperature conditions are favorable for them to grow. One of the experiential activities to do with learners is planting seeds. After planting the seeds, children learn the importance of taking care of them while observing their growth. At Olive Trails, we conducted an experiential engagement for our learners which was “Planting Seeds”. For this activity, learners were asked to put soil in the pot, add seeds to the soil and later again put some soil and water in it. By doing this activity, learners tried their hands at planting of seeds at home. Learners were very enthusiastic and happy as they got a chance to play with soil and seeds and do plantation.
“Blessed are those who sow. Every seed you so plant, will grow into bountiful crops for great harvest.” Seeds generally "wake up" and germinate when soil moisture and temperature conditions are favorable for them to grow. One of the experiential activities to do with learners is planting seeds. After planting the seeds, children learn the importance of taking care of them while observing their growth. At Olive Trails, we conducted an experiential engagement for our learners which was “Planting Seeds”. For this activity, learners were asked to put soil in the pot, add seeds to the soil and later again put some soil and water in it. By doing this activity, learners tried their hands at planting of seeds at home. Learners were very enthusiastic and happy as they got a chance to play with soil and seeds and do plantation.
Such learning helps learners to develop their fine motor skills, multi-sensory skills, feel the texture of the soil and seed and explore to nature.
Such learning helps learners to develop their fine motor skills, multi-sensory skills, feel the texture of the soil and seed and explore to nature.
Theme - senior kg - My Animal Mask
Theme - senior kg - My Animal Mask
Fun crafts for learners help them to encourage, imagine, play and learn. Little tiny tots have fun creating tons of unique animal crafts with various materials. These creations can also help them to for their role play on animals or don with any animal costumes. Craft is a fun way to boost the creativity of the students and evoke in them a sense of appreciation for beauty. One of the most popular party props ideas is creating masks. Toddlers love putting on masks that magically transform them into a character. When a mask is completed and worn for the first time, a new character is born. Hence, we conducted an interesting activity for our Senior KG. learners which was “MY ANIMAL MASK”. For this engagement learners were asked to take materials like plain white paper plates and color it with poster colors. They were asked to stick triangle shape cut outs for ears and stick googly eyes. Later, they were asked to complete the face by drawing small triangular stripes. Later, they were also given an option to insert a string at edges or a popsicle stick to use the mask as per their choice. Learners were very excited, surprised and enthusiastic to see the final output Tiger Mask.
Fun crafts for learners help them to encourage, imagine, play and learn. Little tiny tots have fun creating tons of unique animal crafts with various materials. These creations can also help them to for their role play on animals or don with any animal costumes. Craft is a fun way to boost the creativity of the students and evoke in them a sense of appreciation for beauty. One of the most popular party props ideas is creating masks. Toddlers love putting on masks that magically transform them into a character. When a mask is completed and worn for the first time, a new character is born. Hence, we conducted an interesting activity for our Senior KG. learners which was “MY ANIMAL MASK”. For this engagement learners were asked to take materials like plain white paper plates and color it with poster colors. They were asked to stick triangle shape cut outs for ears and stick googly eyes. Later, they were asked to complete the face by drawing small triangular stripes. Later, they were also given an option to insert a string at edges or a popsicle stick to use the mask as per their choice. Learners were very excited, surprised and enthusiastic to see the final output Tiger Mask.
Such engagements help learners to develop their thinking, imagination, eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.
Such engagements help learners to develop their thinking, imagination, eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.
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