Play is at the heart of education in our Pre Primary; it is the impetus for learning. Boys and girls, from age 3 to 6 (Grade RRR to Grade R) benefit from the best of both worlds at Cowan House.

Our children learn in small, nurturing and creative classes to explore the freedom of our expansive, well-equipped play areas. Added to this are the broader experiences offered by the ‘Big School’ – lessons in the Computer Lab; learning to dance, sing and play instruments in the Music and Drama Departments, getting lost in story time in the Library, and learning to co-ordinate movement in physical education and extra-curricular sports available on campus.

By the time our girls and boys are ready to move up to Grade 1, they are socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively ready, and eager, to face the Junior Primary phase of their education. The transition is seamless.

Social and Emotional Development
This area of learning focuses on assisting your child to mature emotionally, developing a sense of self and self worth. Your child will learn to be more independent and able to take responsibility for him or herself. Your child will develop an understanding of social interaction and relationships, as well as develop appropriate social behaviours and skills. Through their interaction with their peers and with adults, your child will develop social skills which enable them to communicate with others.

Cognitive and Perceptual Development
Cognitive and perceptual development is integrated and demonstrated across all the other areas of learning. It is important that it is not viewed in isolation. As your child progresses from one Grade to another, their skills will increase in sophistication and maturity. Your child will develop visual and auditory perceptual skills, as well as the ability to think and problem solve using a variety of strategies. Puzzles, construction toys, wooden blocks etc. are available for the children to build and create on a daily basis.

Language and Literacy
This learning area focuses on the development of language and literacy skills. As part of language development, your child needs to cultivate strong communication skills. Pre-reading and reading skills develop progressively across the different Grades. Your child will also develop drawing and writing skills alongside reading skills. We have an extensive library where the children may choose a book to take home and are able to read books, both fiction and non-fiction, throughout the school day.

Numeracy
Numeracy focuses on the development of the understanding of number and mathematical concepts. On a daily basis we count, for example, the number of children at school, how many boys compared with girls, etc.

Creative Arts
This learning area encompasses the performing arts, such as music, movement and drama, as well as the visual arts. Your child is encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that promote creativity, imagination and originality. We are fortunate to have a specialist music teacher who runs the Musikgarten programme with the children.

Physical Development
This learning area is divided into two components: fine motor and gross motor development.

Gross motor development refers to the activities that stimulate and strengthen the development of large muscles to facilitate balance, coordination and locomotion, and builds core strength. Every day the children have the opportunity to climb on the climbing frames, swing, run, hop and jump.

Fine motor development focuses on the small muscles required for manipulating small objects and tools. In our creative area we supply all equipment to develop this skill, such as scissors, pencils, painting, sticking, cutting, box construction and play dough. Our creative area is set up every day with five different activities to develop different skills.

Discovery
The final learning area encompasses a range of topics and learning experiences. The purpose of this learning area is to broaden a child’s knowledge of self and the world in which he or she lives, and to develop appropriate life skills. As part of our programme, we have discussions where the children have an opportunity to share their news and their experiences in a group situation.

?Early childhood only happens once in a life time and opportunities must not be missed. It is not a time for cramming and forcing children to start doing things for which they are not ready. It is a time for developing vital skills in communication, research, self-management skills, interpersonal skills and understanding of who they are as individuals.