Welcome to Teach Leanbh

 

 

 

Pre Montessori

Teach Leanbh ethos of our programme is based on developmentally appropriate practice, which focuses on the following:

  1. A balance between children’s self-initiated learning and staff guidance.
  2. Opportunities for children to make meaningful choices between activities offered.
  3. Scope to explore through active involvement.
  4. A mix of small group, whole group and independent activities.
  5. Play as a primary (but not exclusive) medium for learning.
  6. Adults who demonstrate, question, model, suggest alternatives and prompt reflection.
  7. Systematic observation of children's learning and behaviour.

Room Layout
The room layout will facilitate play. Through play children are helped to develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.

Play allows children to:

    • Invent & create
    • Discover
    • Develop speech & muscles
    • Express ideas
    • Learn new skills
    • Concentrate
    • Experiment
    • Co-operate with each other

  • The rooms are safe, spacious, clean, bright, welcoming, warm and accessible to adults and children with disabilities
  • The room and materials are organised in attractive and inviting ways.
  • The room is designed so that the array of materials/equipment will help children to understand the kinds of behaviour and interactions that are expected in each area.
  • Separate areas in the room are designed to facilitate active learning, exploration and easy access.

Areas in the room include:

Creative/Art Play Area – encourages physical, intellectual & social development

    • Puzzles
    • Collage
    • Painting
    • Colouring
    • Drawing
    • Playdough

Symbolic (pretend) Play Area – encourages language, social & emotional development

    • Doll/house Play
    • Pretend play (dentist/shop etc.) & Dress Up
    • Role Play

Science Play Area – encourages physical, intellectual, language and social development

    • Sand & Water
    • Maths & Science tools such as measuring devices
    • Objects from the environment (turf, leaves etc.)

Music Play Area – encourages physical, intellectual, language, emotional and social development

    • Puppet Shows
    • Musical Instruments
    • Music DVD's /CD's

Materials/Equipment/Facilities

  • Toys and equipment are available to the different age groups to promote all areas of development through play and exploration.  They are presented in an organised, accessible and inviting way.
  • Materials/Equipment are placed in clear-labelled plastic boxed for storage and on shelves at children's height to encourage children to put materials away after use, thus encouraging certain areas of development.
  • Children have access to materials such as sand & water and play dough to help develop precise fine & gross motor control.
  • Large (non breakable) mirrors are placed throughout the room.  Babies look at reflections of themselves and others, which assists them in establishing a sense of self.
  • Materials are changed frequently depending on the child's interest/themes or developmental level.