Curriculum
Early Years at Al Murooj
Kindergarten programme is based on the practices of the Early Year foundation stage. Our curriculum supports an integrated approach to early learning and care. All classes are well-resourced. Kindergarten has ample age appropriate play areas.
Thematic Approach
Our teachers adopt a thematic approach to teaching and learning in Kindergarten. Children will learn by participating in a variety of carefully-planned and structured play-based activities for each theme, with slightly more formal activities beginning in KG 1. In KG 2, we have a flexible approach to learning; often we incorporate mini-topics into our curriculum based on children’s interests and their natural curiosity about the world around them.
The seven areas of the foundation stage curriculum are:
1. Communication
and Language
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Involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
3. Personal, Social, and
Emotional Development
Involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; to have confidence in their abilities.
2. Physical Development
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Involves providing opportunities
for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their coordination, control, fine motor and movement. Children must also understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food. The Nursery learning environment provides a beautiful, large space to play with a relaxed atmosphere and a welcoming ‘home from home’ experience for all children. The unit includes kitchen facilities, enabling children to participate in cookery activities throughout the week. Children are enabled by highly supportive and caring staff, who have ambitious expectations of all children in terms of their independence, development of interpersonal skills and wider learning.
4. Literacy
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Involves encouraging children
to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.
5. Mathematics
​
Involves providing children
with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.
6. Understanding
The World
Involves guiding children to
make sense of their physical world and their community, through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
7. Expressive Art
And Technology
Involves enabling children to
explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings. This is through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology.
Assessment
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Each of the seven areas of learning and development are further broken down into Early Learning Goals. Throughout the course of the year, teachers assess the achievement of each student in relation to these goals. Judgments are made from observation of consistent and independent behaviour.