Learning at Preschool

Visual and Performing Arts

Within our curriculum, Visual Arts ignite a profound love of learning, and their benefits are multifaceted. We emphasise critical thinking and deep comprehension, enabling children to not only grasp knowledge but also apply it meaningfully to the real world. 

Our hands-on approach empowers children to explore their surroundings and express themselves through various mediums, such as movement, drawing, painting, reading, writing, and building. Instead of rushing from one activity to the next, we encourage them to revisit key experiences, dive deeper into subject matter, make multiple observations, reconsider, and represent their evolving ideas.

This comprehensive approach fosters a gradual, more sustainable learning pace, allowing children to build a robust knowledge foundation that serves as a springboard for future education. It ensures they work at their developmental levels, enhancing learning speed, reducing frustration, and promoting higher-level thinking essential for mastering complex concepts. Moreover, it kindles their interests, motivates involvement, and paves the way for a well-balanced curriculum that prepares students for life.

Collaboration and cooperation are key components, instilling empathy and compassion in children. Our philosophy celebrates childhood, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and courage. We guide children to explore, question, create, and grow through active engagement and hands-on experiences, blurring the lines between art, science, and mathematics.

The result is authentic comprehension and critical thinking, creativity, self-discovery, and a focus on long-term retention rather than rote learning. Children come to understand that learning is a joyful journey, encouraged to be children—running, playing, getting their hands dirty, getting wet, and exploring the world in a hundred different ways.

Music 

Music forms an integral part of our daily routine at the Preschool. We embrace diverse musical experiences, singing welcome songs in multiple languages, waiata before meals, and continuous background music. Musical instruments adorn our classrooms, inviting children to experiment with rhythm and tune, further enhancing their knowledge. 

The Musical Jam program, led by Nita Zou from Lewis Eady Music School, follows the Orff Schulwerk approach. It aims to kindle and nurture a passion for active music-making among children through singing, rhythm games, and more.

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Education outside the classroom (EOTC) is an important aspect of our Preschool curriculum. This includes trips (museum, the theatre, Motat, Butterfly Creek) and walks around our Shore Road Campus and surrounding suburb, using the Boys and Girls school's facilities (new court, adventure playground, playgrounds, gym and field). EOTC provides children with access to hands-on experiences and offer unique and stimulating learning opportunities that supports learning, confidence and resilience.

Playball is an important part of our EOTC, the coaches create a learning environment which boosts confidence and self-esteem and encourages the children to engage confidently in a wide range of sport skills preparing the children for years of positive and competent sports participation.

At Saint Kentigern Preschool, we are committed to fostering well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically but also embrace creativity, resilience, and the joy of discovery through the Arts. Our approach celebrates every child's unique potential, preparing them to navigate life's diverse challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.