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Why is Prep such a magical year?

Education

As the 2021 Preppies eagerly prepare for their new adventure, we chat to Tracey Down, Prep teacher at Sunshine Beach State School, to find out what makes Prep such a magical year.

 


Why Prep is such a magical year

 

What is the main purpose of the Prep year?

Prep is all about ensuring our students have a good grounding in learning readiness. This means developing their fine and gross motor skills, plus lots of conversation and asking questions to develop oral language skills. With those critical skills established, we then build on them now that they have the fine motor skills to create letter shapes and the oral language skills to participate in class. We also want them to be resilient and confident risk takers. Prep is about building self belief—instilling the self talk to say ‘you can do it’ and supporting them to keep trying.

What methods do you use to provide Preppies with the best possible start to their learning journey?

We are really focused on age-appropriate pedagogy—what and how we are teaching. We still deliver the curriculum, but we focus on doing that in an age-appropriate and skills-appropriate way. For example, it might be chalks on the ground, paintbrushes in water, we might set up a cafe or create shopping lists. It’s about opportunities for interactions, multi-sensory experiences and learning what they need to learn through play.

What is it that makes the Prep year so special?

The growth children experience during that first year is incredible. In the beginning, some can’t write their name; yet by the end of the year, they are able to read a book. Also, the Prep classroom is their first exposure to a more structured learning environment. The imagination they have and the innocence they bring to the classroom is magical. The best part is the connections you make with the children as their Prep teacher, sharing in their excitement for all the new things they encounter each day.

Crayola free preschool activities

What advice do you have for new Prep parents?

It’s a magical year but it goes very fast! So, celebrate all the opportunities that schooling brings. Help them develop their fine and gross motor skills, let them enjoy being little, let them be outside and play and encourage them to use their imagination.

 

Sunshine Beach State School is an accredited ‘Glasser Quality School’ and international school, located beside Noosa National Park. 


RELATED:
The unique environment at Sunshine Beach State School
Innovative loose parts play redefines Prep playtime at Sunshine Beach State School


 

Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.

 

 


By Claire Gilligan
WITH A FIFO HUSBAND WHO WORKS AWAY WEEKS AT A TIME, CLAIRE ENJOYS FINDING FUN, LOCAL THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT TO OCCUPY HER AND HER TWO GIRLS' TIME. ORIGINALLY FROM SYDNEY, CLAIRE AND HER FAMILY LOVE ALL THE THINGS THE SUNSHINE COAST HAS TO OFFER AND ENJOY SHOWING IT OFF TO VISITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Kids on the Coast is a free family magazine whats on guide for Kids: things to do, school holiday fun and free activities for kids... Fun attractions, family food & travel, kids health & wellbeing, kids parties venues, parenting, pregnancy & babies, guide for parents. Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids things to do with kids, schools and education and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.

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