Motor Skills Drive New Initiatives in the Prep School

There has been a great deal of discussion recently, both in the educational and national press, about the abilities that young children may no longer be developing because of changes in the way they play. After much discussion and observation, we concluded that there may well be a correlation between the struggles many young children have with balancing, catching, manipulating little objects or concentrating for sustained periods, and the increase of more sedentary activities for their entertainment.

In the Prep School, there have been many new initiatives, and the return of some old favourites, to the curriculum. Mrs Moffat has ensured that parents have received pre-start ideas for activities which help children develop “ready-for-school” muscle skills and, in the Infant classes, teachers have designed new lessons with practical activities for tiny hands. Mr Frost from the PE department has been teaching a new activity scheme focussing on physical co-ordination and motor skills. Many of our children are benefiting from these entertaining sessions. The revival of old favourites such as sewing and knitting has caused much amusement for Mrs Montgomery and her many, necessary, helpers. A whole term’s knitting was artfully sewn together to make a cosy blanket for Mrs Karen Thomson’s little baby Riley. Every pupil now has craft activities in class and a new club teaching Yoga Skills, led by Miss Foster and Mrs Tregonning, has helped children with their balance and poise.

Prep School
Information for Prep 1 Parents
The Support for Learning Department