First Day of School

The school system here is year round.  That means that Term 2 has just started.  It will go from October 5 through the beginning of December.  3 Year Old Preschool is a bit of a luxury.  Clearly the kids do not NEED to start school that soon, but when a teacher is available, they try and offer the class.   There was no 3 Year Old Preschool during term 1…..but a few weeks ago, we learned that they would have the class for term 2!!!

 

We, Moms, were SO excited to hear this news.  Even though we feel like the kids don’t NEED this class to survive school, there are so many good things and benefits to having this class.  For one, our children at this age are little sponges ready to learn more than we feel like we have the time to teach them.  Also, they clearly need help with social interaction and following rules and being considerate of others.  Not to mention, this class will have a few expat children but a lot of Papua New Guinean children.  The employees here on our center get to send their 4 year olds to this preschool class.  The school system here in PNG uses English.  This is a time for the children to really learn how to use English.  We have been told that having 3 year old preschool really helps the PNG kids to do well when they get to kindergarten.  Again, we are thrilled for ourselves and for our fellow employees that this class is being offered now.

 

Here are some pictures of Ben on the first day.  He will go two mornings a week- Tuesday and Friday.  We received a letter from the teach this past week which explains some of what school will be like for him.  The classroom is set up with the following centers:

 

Reading Center:  Pre-reading skills are encouraged and new books are added weekly.

Art Center: Color, Cut, Glue and Paint

Dramatic Play Center: Role Play and Dress Up

Blocks Center: Shapes, Stacking, Construction, etc

Fine Motor Center: Sorting, Counting, Shapes, Colors and Problem Solving

 

Here is a basic schedule of the day:

8:30-9:00              Free Play and Set-Up

9:00-9:15              Unit Circle (singing, storytime, special guest, hand motions)

9:15-10:00           Center Rotations

10:00-10:45         Snack and Recess

10:45-11:00         Story Circle

11:00-11:45         Center Rotations

11:45-12:00         Bible/Closing Circle

 

Let the learning continue…….