ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI March 21 2011 - The 10 schools had their booths set up with displays of the type of work they do with the children, some of their teaching techniques and curriculum and exhibits of some of the students’ works.
According to Early Childhood Education Officer Jerelyn Callwood, the exhibition stemmed from an idea she had only two weeks prior to the event and she was very pleased to see the turn out and the quality of the exhibition.
Mrs. Callwood said many persons had expressed that they were not aware that there were over 30 centres in the Virgin Islands, and she found this was an opportunity for the schools to “sell” themselves and bring awareness to what they offer.
New Life Day Care Learning Centre was one of the 10 institutions that were part of the exhibition and according to its Director Yonette Wintz they focused on the pre-school and how they can develop the mind of the young, in literacy, creative arts among other things in the pre-school level.
According to the Director, one of the most important highlights of New Life Day Care and Learning Centre is they believe in creativity as it develops the mind to want to move on to reach to higher heights. She said her institution also believes in first hand experiences including field trips where the child would see what goes on based on any topic of the curriculum.
During Education Week 2011, Ms. Wintz said the centre tried to get parents more involved in understanding what is the true function of the pre-school, since many have expectations for their child to read and write during that stage.
“But at the pre-school level , we develop the wholistic child through play and in many different ways other than a book and pencil which will be boring for the child, then at 5 and 7 when he should be reading and writing, he wants to go and explore. We try to make it aware to parents and the wider community, at pre-school level, its learning through play and we work with the curriculum and work with every subject level. The pre-school is a transition level getting them ready for the pre-primary level,” the director explained.
Asked what has been the result with such an approach, the proud teacher and director noted that, “we found that most of the children become outspoken and therefore when they go to the primary level they will be able to adjust to the bigger school” and they are also fully prepared with the skills acquired for the pre-primary level.
Kids Connection and Pelican Gate Elementary were also part of the exhibition. However, unlike other institutions present there, the Director saw it fit to have parents to speak about the school.
According to Director Lois Freeman-Augustine, “who is better to talk about the school than the parents who are part of it.”
The schools collectively offer a service for babies from three months old to Class 1 and plans to expand further to include other classes.
The institution has also seen with successes with its curriculum as it focuses on early childhood education with activities specifically used for different age groups including the babies to help develop their learning ability, their fine muscles and motor skills among other things to prepare and help with their overall development.
Other schools represented at the exhibition were Mathavious Tiny Tots, First Impressions, New Horizon and New Testament Church of God.
Education Week 2011 was held from Sunday, March 13 to March 19, 2011, under the theme “Education Connect: Home, School and Community.”
The highlights for the week included a Parenting Workshop on “Building Relationships with Schools”, a game show entitled “Family Ties”, Inter-Primary Schools Sports and the exhibition.
Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online
British Virgin Islands News