School readiness preschool program to prepare for primary school
It is one year till your child goes to primary school, and you’ll certainly want to ensure that they are ready for this big milestone! When your child goes to primary school, they will need to adapt to a larger, more complex environment and will face new challenges.
We provide a holistic program for 4-year-olds that continues to expand on your child’s holistic development in each of the S.M.I.L.E.S areas.
At the same time, we prepare them for a smooth transition to primary school by incorporating school readiness elements into their daily routine. This includes equipping them with the right classroom habits and skills to learn effectively.
What are the developmental milestones for children from the ages of 4 – 5 years?
Here are some of the milestones that we help 4 – 5-year-old children through the S.M.I.L.E.S. methodology..
Please note that this list is not exhaustive; if you would like to find out more, feel free to speak with us or drop by one of our centres, where our educators will be happy to share more.
Sensory
- Displays interest and initiates exploration and experimentation
- Begins to use their sensory capabilities and dispositions with increasing integration, skill and purpose to explore and respond to their world
- Shows enjoyment in music, and moves his/her body to the rhythm of different genres of music
Motor
- Performs basic gymnastic skills with minimal guidance
- Performs cross-lateral movements (e.g. marching, catching stars, knee cross-over etc.)
- Climbs playground equipment with increasing agility
- Begins to manipulate equipment and manage tools with increasing competence and skills
- Feeds self independently during mealtimes
Intellectual
- Records patterns using letters, e.g. AB, ABB, ABC
- Explores number concepts up to 30
- Sorts, describes and compares 2D and 3D shapes according to attributes
- Identifies, compares and sequences events in daily life: before, after
Linguistic
- Speaks in sentences and uses a variety of vocabulary
- Initiates conversations, expressing opinions and ideas
- Asks and responds to questions appropriately such as ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘what if’
- Demonstrates confidence in sharing personal experiences verbally
- Waits for turn to speak and listen when others are speaking
Emotional & Social
- Engages in cooperative play (follows game rules and participates cooperatively)
- Resolves conflicts in a positive manner with support
- Demonstrates understanding of consequences (cause and effect)
- Expresses emotions in an appropriate manner
How do we help children develop from 4 – 5 years old?
We ensure your child’s day is meaningfully spent by establishing a routine that enhances all aspects of their Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional and Social (S.M.I.L.E.S.) development.
Lessons start off with our unique Enquiry Teaching and Learning™ approach that encourages children to be curious about topics and ask questions that will lead to an enquiry exploration. The educator asks the children questions and then taking in their responses to lead the class into an enquiry teaching and learning process. Upon observing the children’s interests, the educator will plan lessons that allow the children to explore new ideas while developing their thinking skills. The educator will also make sure that lessons planned incorporate the S.M.I.L.E.S.™ Methodology and meet the interests and learning needs of different children.
Our daily program caters to your child’s interests, developmental needs and provides opportunities for them to collaborate with families and the community. Closely aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), find out more about the various components of our program:
These include play-based learning activities (both indoors and outdoors) that are connected to the children’s interests.
In these sessions, our little ones learn to become socially responsible and show respect for the environment while engaging in learning experiences that develops increasing environmental awareness – such as gardening, taking care of ‘pets’ and more!
During this time, educators and children come together to listen and share their perspectives with one another. This helps them develop knowledge and confident self-identities as they share their ideas and express their thoughts with the community of learners.
They also develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities by participating in group activities such as Acknowledgment to the Country, Show and Tell, NewsTime and Family incursions.
In Champs Discovery sessions, our little ones develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity through activities in the 6 Learning Zones – Dramatic, Construction, Art & Craft, Reading, Writing and Numeracy Zones.
The MindChamps Reading (MR) Program helps children build a lifelong love for reading and sets a strong foundation for literacy skills in fun and interactive ways.
Our little ones engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts while reading the books and engaging in story comprehension related activities through literature response, games, puppets, classroom dialogues and more!
In addition to the activities above, we also include calming experiences to rejuvenate your child’s mind as part of their daily routine. During mealtimes, your child will also indulge in delicious and healthy snacks and meals.