sweeteymichelle
New member
My daughter had attended ESF hillside and graduated last Jun, I was very much impressed by the school and was happy to the way they teach my daughter.
If u have looked into their website, you will know their mission is to do "learn through play" and that the kids were "playing" at all time. As I did parent volunteer oftenly, I know the school so much on how they teach the kids.
Now I will tell all of you about the routine in K2 which I remembered so well.
Every morning they will have the first circle time, calling for attendance, telling story, teaching phonics such as letter sounds or teaching putonghua and they do singing, and sometimes do the "group" works, which is following the theme of the month. It takes around 1 hour. Then they will start the "open play", the open play settings are role play area which is also themed. The interactive white board, painting area, collage. Sometimes they placed a tadpole or butterflies or frogs or fish or guinea pigs or plants with magnifying glass at corners. Some small maths games, storybook corner with cd player. Each setting will stand an adult to assist the kids. At this open play time, they are allowed to go out to the playground and will have their snacks during this hour. The open play time trained them to play with all the kids harmony and will not feel shy if seeing new adults (like the parent volunteers). This social skill helped a lot for the interview. They sometimes do swap floors, so even K1 and K2 kids can make friends with each other. The open play time last one hour, then they will help tidy up and do quiet reading, preparing for the next circle time. The 2nd circle time takes around 45 mins and all the kids are ready to send home. Everyday the kids are busy and did lots of things. School arranged lots of activities and school excursions. Like last year, we visited tad flower show, HK tallest building and 2 plays in APA. They had charity walk at the peak (donating books), sports day etc. The Parent social group also organized some events like Halloween funfair, parents evening, beach day, Easter egg hunts etc.
I am thankful to the school of preparing my daughter so well in the interview also they helped a lot when the primary teachers came visit, as the teacher picked a story to ask my daughter to read to the teachers (I am lucky enough to have a daughter which is able to read). Besides, the kindy never asked them to do writing but just asked them to write their names everyday at the last term of K1, then in K2 guided them to write what they did every weekend and encourage them to write when they draw, but of course, home reinforcement is needed (lazy parent can never blame anyone else).
Hope this give u all a clearer picture of how "learn through play" happens in ESF hillside.
If u have looked into their website, you will know their mission is to do "learn through play" and that the kids were "playing" at all time. As I did parent volunteer oftenly, I know the school so much on how they teach the kids.
Now I will tell all of you about the routine in K2 which I remembered so well.
Every morning they will have the first circle time, calling for attendance, telling story, teaching phonics such as letter sounds or teaching putonghua and they do singing, and sometimes do the "group" works, which is following the theme of the month. It takes around 1 hour. Then they will start the "open play", the open play settings are role play area which is also themed. The interactive white board, painting area, collage. Sometimes they placed a tadpole or butterflies or frogs or fish or guinea pigs or plants with magnifying glass at corners. Some small maths games, storybook corner with cd player. Each setting will stand an adult to assist the kids. At this open play time, they are allowed to go out to the playground and will have their snacks during this hour. The open play time trained them to play with all the kids harmony and will not feel shy if seeing new adults (like the parent volunteers). This social skill helped a lot for the interview. They sometimes do swap floors, so even K1 and K2 kids can make friends with each other. The open play time last one hour, then they will help tidy up and do quiet reading, preparing for the next circle time. The 2nd circle time takes around 45 mins and all the kids are ready to send home. Everyday the kids are busy and did lots of things. School arranged lots of activities and school excursions. Like last year, we visited tad flower show, HK tallest building and 2 plays in APA. They had charity walk at the peak (donating books), sports day etc. The Parent social group also organized some events like Halloween funfair, parents evening, beach day, Easter egg hunts etc.
I am thankful to the school of preparing my daughter so well in the interview also they helped a lot when the primary teachers came visit, as the teacher picked a story to ask my daughter to read to the teachers (I am lucky enough to have a daughter which is able to read). Besides, the kindy never asked them to do writing but just asked them to write their names everyday at the last term of K1, then in K2 guided them to write what they did every weekend and encourage them to write when they draw, but of course, home reinforcement is needed (lazy parent can never blame anyone else).
Hope this give u all a clearer picture of how "learn through play" happens in ESF hillside.