TIWALA KINDERGARTEN

Tiwala’s Kindergarten opened in February 2008 with much excitement as classes began in the farmhouse at Tiwala Farm. Seventeen children from the community joined the first classes which are being taught by Jaki, a qualified nurse with a real heart for children. Jaki will also administer medical assistance to children and their families when necessary.

Tiwala’s Kindergarten is divided into two classes. The morning class (eight children) is for the three to four year olds, with a focus on introducing the children to formal learning, at a pace they can manage. The afternoon class is for the five to six year olds, with a focus on preparing the children for Grade One.

Our medium term plan revolves around a theme (such as ‘God’s Creation’) and includes six main curriculum areas:

Personal, social and emotional development
Communication, language and literacy
Mathematics
Knowledge and understanding of the world (science, geography, culture, life-skills, religious education)
Physical development
Creative development (art, music, drama)

A typical morning or afternoon class would include a combination of

Group time (religious education, discussion, theme focus)
Workshop
Practical experiments
Focused lessons and activities
Free exploratory play
Circle game time
Story time
Music and singing
Child-initiated activities.

Tiwala also provides healthy snacks for the children during break time.