What we've been up to in Prep
We've been having a great time in our new classrooms and on the playground. Each day, we play games to help us get to know one another and take part in activities about ourselves and life at school. We've also been learning our new routines and expectations to ensure we stay safe while we're at school.
Library Books
Starting Week 3, the Prep students will be visiting the Library during school time. The students will visit the Library each week and will be allowed to borrow one book. Students must return their library book before they can borrow a new one. The green reader folder will be used for library books, please ensure your child has this in their school bag next week if it's not already at school.
Fruit Snack
A friendly reminder to please ensure your child has an extra fruit or vegetable snack in their bag each day. Fruit/vegetable snacks need to be in a seperate small container.
Drop Off's Week 3
Starting from Week 3 (Monday 9th Feb), Prep students will need to line up in their class area before entering their classrooms at 8:45am. We encourage parents to say goodbye to their children at the line up area and allow the students to independently enter the building. Our students have been practising where they line up throughout the week.
Prep Greene- Line up against the brick wall.
Prep Mortlock- Line up on the bench seats at the top of the stairs to the right.
Prep Dunn- Line up on the bench seats at the top of the stairs to the left.
Fine Motor Development
At this stage of Prep, we put a big focus on building our fine motor skills as we begin to use pencils, scissors and glue more regularly. During our transitions session last year, we sent home a small tub of playdough that can be used to complete these activities. Anything you can do at home in regards to this will be beneficial!
Below is some information that explains the importance of fine motor skills:
What are fine motor skills?
Fine motor movements are the actions performed with the small muscles in the hands, fingers and wrist. Whether your child is holding a pencil, holding a pair of scissors or putting clothes on their doll, they will require precise movements of the small muscles to accomplish the task satisfactorily. Fine motor skills are a child's ability to control their fine motor muscles.
How do they develop?
Fine motor skills, as with gross motor skills, develop only through practise and more practise. And as small muscles repeat motions over and over and over again, those muscles remember the movement (called "muscle memory") and the movements become automatic.
What is the importance of developing fine motor skills?
Fine motor skills directly impact on a child’s ability to learn how to properly hold and use a pencil and write. Using scissors correctly is another lifelong skill that is reliant on fine motor skills. Your child will need well-developed muscles in his thumb, index finger, middle finger and wrist to open and close the blades of the scissors.
Upcoming Dates
Prep Rest Days- Wednesday 11th, 18th & 25th of February
Start Up Performance- Thursday 19th Feburary, 9am.
Upcoming Learning
Over the next two weeks, we will keep playing games that encourage teamwork and a sense of belonging. We’ll also keep practising recognising our names and learning how to write them.
Weeks 3 & 4
In Literacy, we’ll focus on the first letters and their most common sounds—m, s, f, and a.
Please find below a link to some information on building your child's literacy skills:
https://www.vic.gov.au/how-build-your-childs-literacy-skills-birth-grade-2
In Mathematics, we'll explore everything related to the numbers 1-4, including how to write them, count them, order them, and create collections with these amounts.
In Respectful Relationships, we will be exploring emotional literacy by noticing our own emotions as well as the emotions of others.
Through SWPBS and Topic, we will continue learning about our School Values, expectations and how to show kindness to others.
