The Arts

Visual Arts

The benefits are varied, but perhaps the most valuable is that Visual Arts ignites a love of learning.

• Reinforcing critical thinking and true comprehension so the children understand what they are learning and can apply it to the real world.
• Children learn best through a hands-on approach, therefore, it enables them to explore their environment and express themselves through movement, drawing, painting, reading, writing, building and many other communicative and cognitive means.
• Children are not rushed from one activity to the next, instead they are encouraged to repeat key experiences, delve further into subject matter, continue multiple observations, consider and reconsider, and represent and re-represent.
• It allows for a more comprehensive approach, enabling children to work at a more gradual pace. This allows them to retain information and form a firm knowledge base that strengthens learning in later schooling.
• Ensures children work at their appropriate developmental levels which -
• Increases their pace of learning
• Decreases frustration
• Promotes higher level thinking that is essential to mastering larger concepts
• Motivates Childrens' interests and involvement
• Facilitates the delivery of a well-balanced curriculum, which prepares students for life 

It also includes a focus on collaboration and cooperation, to build empathy and compassion within the children, allowing us to celebrate childhood, collaboration, creativity, curiosity and courage.

Our approach is built around teaching children to explore, question, create and grow through engagement and hands-on experiences. What looks like art, for example, is often a science, math and art lesson.

It also results in:

• True comprehension and critical thinking
• Creativity and self-discovery
• Formulation of long-term retention vs. short term
• The creation of true comprehension rather than rote learning (regurgitation)
• Children learning more through doing and realising that learning is fun
• ‘Kids are encouraged to be kids’ - to run, play, get their hands dirty, get wet and explore
• Children learning in a hundred different ways and are encouraged to express these different ways of knowing (writing, storytelling, drama, movement, drawing, sculpture, music, photography)

Performing Arts

Our specialist Dance and Performing Arts teacher supports the children when it comes to learning to move as an expressive language. The Preschool programme offers many opportunities throughout the week for the children to get involved with performing. They are encouraged to take part in puppet shows, run their own mat times, perform in the Christmas Show, Carol Service and other small events throughout the year. 

Music

Music forms a large part of our day-to-day experiences at the Preschool. Welcome songs are sung in multiple languages when the children come together in groups, waiata are sung before every meal, and music is played throughout the day. Musical instruments are also provided in the classrooms for children to experiment with and show their knowledge of rhythm and tune.