NEWSLETTER
October 2024
Updates from Early Years
Coffee with the Curriculum Coordinator
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the recent Coffee with the Curriculum Coordinator session. It was a pleasure to engage in such an interactive discussion about how we integrate the IB Approaches to Learning and the Learner Profile in the Early Years Department. Your enthusiasm and participation made the session a resounding success as we explored the foundational strategies that help our youngest learners become self-regulated, lifelong learners from the outset. We invite you to join us for our next CCC session in January, where we will delve even deeper into the Early Years Programme curriculum!
We are excited to begin a new Unit of Inquiry under the theme Where We Are in Place and Time. This Unit will incorporate play and inquiry-based learning, allowing our learners to explore concepts such as special places, cultures around the world and family histories through hands-on activities. By encouraging curiosity and active exploration, the children will engage in meaningful experiences that foster a deeper understanding of the world around them while developing their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Play-based learning is at the core of our Early Years Programme (EYP) curriculum, and for good reason! Through play, children engage in hands-on experiences that ignite their natural curiosity and creativity. It serves as a platform for exploring concepts in an enjoyable, organic manner, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Whether building with blocks, participating in pretend play in the dramatic role-play area, or exploring outdoors, each activity is thoughtfully designed to support cognitive, social, and emotional development. As children interact with their peers, they acquire vital skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, and communication, laying a strong foundation for future learning.
Caroline Nganda
EYP Curriculum Coordinator
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Email:eypcoordinator@ais.ac.ug
Family Week Festivities
From September 9 to 13, the Early Years department celebrated Family Week, a wonderful occasion filled with cherished moments and family bonding. Throughout the week, children engaged in various themed crafts, creating beautiful artwork that honoured their unique families.
The highlight was our special Family Fun Day, where families gathered to play games, make delicious snacks, and craft alongside our little ones. The halls echoed with laughter and excitement as families connected through shared experiences. To conclude the week, we hosted a cozy movie day, inviting families to unwind and enjoy a beloved episode from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. It was heartwarming to see children snuggled up with their loved ones, creating lasting memories together.
Thank you to all the families who participated, making this week a joyful celebration of family and community!
Andi Haskins
HoD Early Years
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Email: earlyyearshod@ais.ac.ug
