I’ll Miss These Little Ones!
by admin on Aug.09, 2011, under Uncategorized
The first couple of years we were in PNG I filled in time by doing some volunteer work in a couple of schools – some Year 10 English and making cards at a Primary School. This year I decided to do something a bit different. I set up ‘Maria’s School’ – more like an avenue for some basic learning for some little ones who live in our neighbourhood! I started back in April with the two little ones who live downstairs and two who lived next door – aged from 2 – 4 years old.
(The 2 year old has since turned 3!!).
I brought paints, playdough, crayons etc back from Australia. Nick bought me a folding table and chairs for our spare bedroom and our ‘classes’ began – three mornings a week.
Within days my group had grown!! Three little ones from Stephanie’s village even came in on the truck (an hour’s trip) to be part of the group. I now had 7 children up to 6 years old!
Another desk and chairs were added!
I decided we had to do more than paint and playdough. We sing action songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus and many more. The alphabet is sung each day. We have done many sounds/letters following the Jolly Phonics Program – and they love those little action rhymes too!
They are writing their letters, doing basic number up to 10, learning colours – and all in English!!
They just love craft activities – using glue, scissors etc for the first time.
Every day we finish by going downstairs, throwing and catching and kicking a ball and running, hopping, skipping, flying like a plane, hopping like a frog etc. They have even learned to skip with a rope – they love all the physical activity!
I have no blackboard or pinboard but just use blutac to put things on the wall.
The little ones from next door have moved to Port Moresby, another little boy has joined the group – and so we continue to do our thing! I have NEVER seen little children so keen to learn! I just love working with them.
Some of them had never even done colouring-in and they have improved rapidly!
If one of them misses a day or two, then they always want to stay longer the next time and catch up on their work.
They LOVE craft. When we did ‘n’ for nest they made a mobile – and of course a kite when we did ‘k’
But the all time favourite – theirs and mine! – was the car they made! (we currently have 4 boys and 2 girls) – the girls loved it too!
Nick and I are off to Australia on Friday for leave – I will be away for 8 weeks – and I sure am going to miss these little ones! How could anyone resist these big brown eyes?
