Learning about feelings and kindness at preschool

This week at Sophie’s Cottage our 3 to 6 year olds learned about shapes, letters and, most importantly, how our words and actions make other people feel. Here is what the week of 3 to 7 August looked like.

Shapes and letters in School Readiness

The children used paddle sticks to build 2D shapes, counting the sides and corners as they went. It is a simple way to learn shape names while building early maths and problem solving.

Later in the week we focused on the letter W. The children practised the uppercase and lowercase W, and used playdough on laminated letter mats to make the letter shape with their hands, which builds the finger strength they will need for writing.

Friendly and unfriendly words

At group time our Butterflies joined Miss Navdeep to talk about friendly and unfriendly words and actions, and how they can make someone feel happy or sad. The children named different emotions and shared times they felt that way.

With Miss Janelle, the children also talked about friendship, kindness and being respectful to everyone. Learning to name feelings is one of the most important skills a child takes to big school.

Bubbles, sandpits and pizza

We started the week warming up our bodies with bubble play, while our little builders made their own building site in the sandpit.

On Thursday we made pizzas with Miss Navdeep. Before we started, we talked about hygiene and food safety, and everyone washed their hands well. Cooking teaches measuring, taking turns and trying new foods.

Try this at home

• At dinner, ask your child to name one feeling they had today and why.
• Go on a shape hunt around the house: how many circles, squares and triangles can you find?
• Make a simple pizza together and let your child add the toppings.

Visit Sophie’s Cottage

Sophie’s Cottage Kindergarten is a small, family-run preschool for children aged 3 to 6 at 9 Sophie Street, Telopea, open 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Families join us from Dundas, Telopea and the suburbs around us.

Most families with a 4-year-old coming 3 days a week pay $0 to $60 a week after government funding. Check your cost with our fees calculator, or book a tour to see our School Readiness Program in action.