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With this year’s Art Week, our Huili Nursery pupils have been taking a colourful journey of self-exploration.
Under the theme of ‘In the Spotlight’, they are taking part in a series of enriching, engaging and fun activities that saw them creating and collaborating.
Children more easily grasp knowledge through activities like this. They are fully engaged and motivated. They integrate learning into their lives. They become independent learners and problem solvers. They are empowered to ‘Be You. Be More.’
Exploring shapes and structures
The children are exploring shapes by using squares.
In the construction area, they are trying to combine square cardboard pieces to make different objects.
One child is thinking about how to use scissors to turn a rectangle into a square. Next to him, two boys are building a castle from the square cardboard. Where should they make the cuts? How can they glue the pieces together? They discuss ideas with great enthusiasm.
Another group has been given a more challenging task, turning squares into snowflakes.
But they are having some problems - the cardboard keeps collapsing when they try to make 3D shapes. Is it because the tape is not strong enough? Perhaps they need different tools?
At this young age, children find it challenging to grasp abstract concepts. So, our teachers encourage the children to learn through their senses with hands-on activities.
Sparking Curiosity
Miss Tania is guiding the children to differentiate shapes by drawing them.
They start with simple shapes like circles and triangles. Then she builds up their knowledge step-by-step. Soon one child combines a circle and a rectangle to make something new. "What's this?" asks Miss Tania. "It's akey!" says the child.
After that, the children start trying to draw objects like a tennis racket or a burger.
The task sparks the children’s innate desire to think and be in control of their learning, a key principle of our teaching philosophy at Huili Nursery.
On the other side of the classroom, two children are exploring how to build a bridge from different materials.
What should they make the bridge's base from? One child uses plastic cups to form a foundation. What next? Let's use building blocks to make the surface! Should it be one layer or two?
In the art corner, children are exploring painting techniques with their teacher.
What's the difference between printing and doodling? In the pretend play area, children have brought in rectangular household items like tissue boxes, delivery boxes and lightbulb packaging. There are so many rectangular objects all around us! How can they use them to make an artwork?
Our teachers observe each child's unique potential. They stimulate curiosity andprovide space to think independently.
The experience gained through continuous exploration and thinking will help them develop problem-solving skills and become lifelong learners.
A Platform for Expression
The whole week, colourful little monsters can be found all over the nursery.
They come from the children's favourite picture book, The Colour Monster. This book helps them link emotions to colours.
So, our teachers use it to expand the children's emotional vocabulary.
The book's text integrates reading, expression, painting, crafts and more.
It allows the children to create their own ‘language’, be it a painting, hat, wings or even a guitar.
▲EY4 children created thier own hats after reading Millie's Marvellous Hat
Personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is a critical part of our teaching framework. It pervades every aspect of the children's daily life here, not just academic subjects.
When a child begins to achieve better self-knowledge, it sparks growth and development. They then need a robust system of values to guide them. This only happens in a safe and supportive environment.
▲Pupil fashion show and FOH talent show
The week then concludes with a fashion show. Each child proudly wears their handmade outfits and struts their stuff on the runway.
As the little giraffe class host said: "Imagination brings us colour, happiness and the idea of ‘I can do this’!"
