Curriculum
Our curriculum
takes into consideration not only the children's academic learning,
but also their family values, cultural knowledge and social responsibilities.
As teachers, we understand that children will respond positively
or negatively, directly dependent on our actions. The pattern of
life is very much based on the principle of "Cause and Effect"
and that the way to assure the desired effect is to weigh life's
values, bear them in mind, act in accordance with them, and reap
the rich reward. We therefore appreciate and bear in mind that:
•
What we think, we teach
•
What we believe, we impart
•
Our actions makes a greater impression
on the children than any information or knowledge we impart
The following skill sets are built around different themes, known
as the "thematic" approach. Assessment or evaluation is
a natural and essential element of learning. Assessments, however,
are only introduced from Nursery years to Kindergarten years. Assessments
are not ranking tests. Thoughtful assessment or evaluation provides
us with valuable knowledge about what our children knows and how
they think, and therefore greatly assists teachers in making curriculum
decisions, in our efforts to bring out the best in each child.
Languages
Languages
used and taught as a standard part of our curriculum in the school
are English, Mandarin and Japanese. Language skills are needed to
communicate effectively, to express feelings and needs in words,
to represent ideas in writing and to acquire concepts and vocabulary.
These are taught through reading, writing and rhyme activities.
For English, we use a series of readers, example, "Joy Reader",
"Sunshine series", "Ginn Series", and various
other books. There is a strong emphasis on good phonics and clear
communications. We have similar fundamental focus on the Mandarin
and Japanese languages, taught by our language specialists.
Mathematic
For young
children, mathematics is a natural part of their world. Working
with the series "Growing with Mathematics" from our advisor,
Ms Rosemary Irons, our program integrates all important mathematical
content and processes into familiar routines of the classrooms.
"Problem solving is a hallmark of mathematical activity and
a major means of developing mathematical knowledge. Problem solving
is natural to young minds because the world is new to them."-
NCTM, 2000. Communication is a vitally important part of the problem-solving
approach. A major focus is on developing early mathematical language,
and associating it with symbols. Children constantly develop and
refine their reasoning skills as they formulate conjectures about
their world and test them out. Skills like counting, more or less,
measurement, conservation of volume, reversibility, etc. are taught.
Children are encouraged to make connections between mathematics
and other areas of the curriculum, and between mathematical ideas
themselves.
Outdoor
Gross Motor Play
This is designed
to meet the children's physical development needs which in turn
affects the development of other domains. They need to be physically
fit, and that means possessing endurance, muscular strength, flexibility
and good health. They need to learn skills in locomotion, dynamic
and static balance, body and space perception, rhythm and temporal
awareness, rebound and air borne activities, projectile management
and other manipulative motor skills.
Science
The goal
is to create awareness about our bodies, the environment around
us, nature conservation, simple chemistry, classification, the effects
of force, effects of gravity, changes in state of matter, cause
and effects. These will be taught through gardening activities,
nature walks, science projects and experiments.
Art and Craft
Creativity
is promoted through exploring and working with a variety of materials
together with respecting and accepting divergent thinking and ideas
from other children. They will be able to express their own ideas
and be creative while developing aesthetic appreciation of the visual
arts. These are developed through formal instructions as well as
through free form art activities.
Dramatic and Constructive Play
This helps
in the development of eye-hand and eye-foot co-ordination, spatial,
kinesthetic and sensory awareness. They also need to practise fine
motor skills in order to perfect them. Learning is an active process
in which children are capable of constructing knowledge through
experiences with materials. Play provides a non-threatening environment
for persistent practising and perfecting skills for maths, language,
science and especially self-help and independence skills such as
learning to share and co-operate with peers, acknowledging other
children's skills and developing a positive competitive attitude
with other children.
Music and Movement
Children learn
to channel aggression, relief tension and express themselves through
music and dance, while learning new skill in rhythm, balance, grace
and co-ordination, and developing kinesthetic and cultural awareness.
Speech and Drama
This helps to
develop confidence in speaking and in presentation skill, understanding
body language and expressions, using them appropriately. It develops
critical analysis and skills in positive expressions.
Sand and Waterplay
This is a fun
way to learn math skills such as conservation, weights and measurement,
counting, data and information collection, etc. while learning to
work and interact with other children.
Computer Aided Learning
Children develops
knowledge in the use of computers and programs such as Microsoft
Office and play with educational computer games while learning language
and maths skills.
School Calendar
We serve children from
age group 18 months to 6 years under the following academic category.
•
Playgroup  -
18 months - 30 months
•
Nursery
1 - 30 months
- 3 years
•
Nursery 2 -
3 - 4
years
•
Kindergarten 1 -
4-5 years
•
Kindergarten
2 - 5-6 years
School
Opening Hours
•
Half Day A.M. programme:
Mon - Fri:9.00
am to 1.00 pm
•
Half Day P.M. programme:
Mon - Fri:2.00
pm to 5.30 pm
•
Full Day programme:
Mon - Fri:9.00
am to 5.30 pm
•
Breakfast:
:8.30
am to 9.00 am
We believe a small teacher student ratio is fundamental towards
achieving quality teaching.
Raffles House Preschool is also registered with MCDS (Ministry of
Community Development and Sport). Government child care subsidy
is therefore available for children attending our school whose parents
qualify under MCDS scheme. Please check with our school for more
details.
Excursions and Educational Tours
The school organizes at least one excursion and education
tour per semester. Parents are encouraged to have their children
participate in the excursion as part of the children's learning
experience. We have membership programs with various parks, organizations.
Transport
School buses and vans are available for ferrying children
between homes and school. More information can be obtained at the
school.
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