Pre-KG 2024 / 25 Blog 21
Becoming very skillful !
The IB PYP encompasses five transdisciplinary skills that we use when we are involved in learning. They are grouped in the following sets: Thinking, Social, Self Management, Research and Communication.
Sounds awe–inspiring and even though the Pre–Kindergarten children are not yet under the umbrella of the PYP program, these skills have been developed by humans since they exist and are therefore very important for our little ones as well.
If you have followed our journey of learning and discoveries, you have seen that the Pre–Kindergarten children are looking into the subjects of „Animals and Food“.
They have done a fabulous job, identifying animals living in a forest / jungle, living by / near / in the water and they know that some animals can fly. So much knowledge already and the children have used there thinking skills, their communication skills, their social skills, their self– management skills and now their research skills.
Two and three year old researchers?
Yes, because research involves observations! So the children looked into various songs some of which we will perform during our assembly and then we talked about making props. We need a zoo and a jungle and many boxes…..
So out came the boxes and the children checked if they were big enough to become giant trees or whether enough animals could fit inside or whether they could be a boat….
Children having fun with simple, free tools and being creative at the same time is my kind of world and discovery in the purest sense of the word. Please give your children lots of opportunities to create and discover, it doesn’t need to cost anything…..just investment of time, love, and listening to their ideas.
As the children were starting to research and observe, they wondered if there are animals out and about, especially in winter.
Accordingly, we went on a research walk with K1 who are inquiring into seasons to check out the river and the tulip field.
Because there was a dog out and about that day ( did you see it on the photo? ) the children wanted to find and observe more dogs, so we joined K1 on another sunny walk to the green field with the adjacent dog run. But alas, no dog in sight ! Where have they gone, there always used to be a group of doggies having fun.
Well, the Pre–Kindergarten children were having fun with their friends and teachers from K1, playing tag and strengthening their gross motor skills. Oh and finally a flock of birds, but they were in the sky by the time I took the picture…..
On other days, the children used their thinking, fine motor and communication skills combined. Having recently learnt more vocabulary regarding animals, they took the German hammer game from HABA to show how adapt they are at using a small nail, a wooden picture with a hole and a hammer to create a colourful story.
This week the children also had the pleasure of attending the Assembly of K2. They watched attentively when their older friends sang and recited a poem and they enjoyed everyone conveying so much love for their family and friends in a cute video. Good job K2 children and teachers ! Thank you for always looking after us and we love all of you, too !
During the week the Pre–Kindergarten children continuously worked on their sorting ( math ! ) skills and finished another one of their habitat boxes where the sea animals will then live.
Looking good, everyone!
Last, not least this week we had a wonderful birthday celebration for one of our Pre–Kindergarten friends. Luna turned three years old and her mother had prepared a delicious fruit buffet and beautiful butterflies that lit up our room. She kindly invited K1 and all the teachers as well and we were so happy to celebrate this milestone for Luna with her family.
The children loved the sparkling butterflies gifted to them.
Happy 3. Birthday, dear Luna and a big and heartfelt „Thank you’ to your family!
On the same day, a good friend from K1, Sora, also celebrated a birthday and we took a charming picture of the two birthday families together.
Like the butterflies, may all the children always shine bright, be happy and fly high!
The party coincided with the beginning of the Chinese New Year and Kobe offers many special events to celebrate this auspicious occasion as well as holding Luminarie, the festival of lights .
Kobe Chinese New Year celebration 2025
Have a bright weekend !
With kind regards, Mit herzlichen Grüßen,
Anita Ursula Mönch
DSKI Pre–Kindergarten homeroom teacher Playgroup / EY Deutsch & German
German Saturday School homeroom teacher
