2019.12.Dec. Early Years Advent Calendar

Since the 1st of December, Early Years has been enjoying our handmade advent calendar with small presents inside the stockings. Everyday, three children can receive a present from the calendar. The children are chosen from a special box with every child's name in it. Everyday, one teacher or intern pulls out 3 cards. Then we sing christmas songs together.

    

4th December 2019 Christmas Market Preparation

Our school Christmas Market is coming soon! It’s getting busy in Early Years as we prepare by making
“products” to sell.

3rd December 2019 Tulip bulbs planting

On December 3rd, Kindergarten went to the tulip field together with their classmates from
Pre-Kindergarten and Pre-School to plant tulip bulbs. They put in their best effort and were able
to plant the bulbs in neat rows. The farmers also gave us some bulbs which we will plant at school.
We will check on the field once in a while to see how the tulips are doing.
And in the spring, we’ll enjoy seeing all the beautiful flowers in full bloom.

Welcoming New Friends

In the week from 25th to 29th November, the Pre–Kindergarten children were happy to welcome 2 new friends into their class. They showed a very caring attitude towards the 2 little newcomers, playing with them, sharing toys, helping them with routines and making them feel comfortable in their new surroundings.

 

 

It was heartwarming to see how all 12 children were starting to come together as a group, each child with their different strengths.

We have new children in Early years…… Mia is in the Brilliant Butterfly class, her sister Emma, is in the Rainbow class (Pre-Kg). Please welcome them!

Fall in Early Years

November provided plenty of opportunities for us to work on our whole year unit “Sharing the planet”. In case you were wondering what ever happened to the caterpillars we found… They have both built a cocoon and have been in there for some time. The kids asked a very good question: “Is it still alive inside? How do we know?” If anyone knows the answer, please feel free to educate all of us  :)

Fall with all its beautiful colours has inspired the kids to explore. We got to experience the wind blowing strongly,

and the leaves were tumbling and swirling around. We went for a walk to the tulip field to see what it
looks like now. On the way, we looked at the trees and collected lots of leaves in different shapes
and colors. 

Back at school, we inspected them closely. The kids placed some leaves in a bowl, and some between newspaper

pages. After a few days, we looked at them and the kids noticed a difference. Some were crumbled and some were flat. They called them “crunchy” and “gentle”. One can be used for making a crunchy sound, and we have to be gentle with the others so they do not break.

We also took a closer look into the fruits and vegetables we find in our snack boxes, named them,
and cut them to find out what it inside. Some “uuuhss” and “oooos” were in the air when we cut
open an apple and a kaki fruit.

Inside, we discovered magical stars. But we also realized that not every fruit has kernels.

Playdough Power

In the week of 18th to 21st November the Pre–KG children challenged themselves in a great Playdough session. Playdough not only helps children to develop strength and control in their hands and fingers, it also fosters creativity and language. And while the children rolled and squished the Playdough, created shapes and compared sizes, they also used a their science skills.  The children had lots of fun and made some amazing things.

20th November 2019 Shopping in Daiei

Our whole-year unit is “Sharing the Planet”. We will plant different seeds and see what happens.
Kindergarten children and teachers went to Daiei to buy the seeds. We were thinking of what kind of
seeds we could plant. We bought 6 different kinds of seeds, like peppermint and carrots. We will see
whether we have a “green thumb." We are also preparing a small flower bed next to our new sand pit.

18th November 2019 Light table

For a while we have a light table in Kindergarten. First, the children didn’t show much interest 
but now many of them are trying to play with it. They make many different shapes with shiny,
translucent blocks. The children also can make a shape with a hexagon frame. (Here are nice
samples of Miharu)

6th November 2019 Letter to Germany

Our current unit is “who we are” and friendship. We are in contact with a Kindergarten in Germany
where Yannic was working before. We decided to write a letter to them and also made small toys
out of origami paper which children in Germany can play with. We also thought what we could ask
questions to these children. We went to post office together and sent the letter. Now we are very
excited to get an answer from them!

12th November 2019 St. Martin

We had our St. Martin event. Including Early Years, everybody in the school made a nice lantern. 

We saw the play of St.Martin’s story which was played by German students, then we walked together
around Rokko Island, sang songs and shared “Weckmann” bread. It was a cozy night for everybody and
interesting for families who are new to German traditions.

11th October Growing Together

Growing Together

In the week of 7th to 11th October, the Pre– KG children demonstrated that they are really growing together as a group and are capable of sharing space and ideas.

They were very relaxed in each other's company whether reading books together or making chalk paintings.

On the last day of the week, the Pre– KG children measured each other's height, showing confidence and trust into their friends' help.

The week ended with playtime on the nearby Green Field where the children joined hands for a joyful run ! 

Great sharing, caring and fostering friendships, Pre–KG !