Embracing the "Hands On" Philosophy at Magnolia Kindergarten and at Little Magnolia!

At Magnolia Kindergarten, in our French-Mandarin or our English-Mandarin sections, we believe in the power of hands-on learning to foster the holistic development of young children. "Hands On" teaching or educative philosophy is designed to engage children in meaningful, tactile experiences that stimulate their fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and emotional growth. Here is a closer look at how we implement this philosophy and how you can incorporate similar activities at home.

Our Approach at Magnolia Kindergarten

Woodworking in our Carpentry workshop:Children work on simple woodworking projects to develop hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity. Using child safe tools, they measure, cut, and assemble pieces, building confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Handling these tools also enhances their focus on safety procedures.

Multiple Arts and Recycling Projects:In our expansive Art Studio, talented teachers guide children in creative activities using recycled materials, fostering both artistic skills and sustainability awareness. Each year, all 16 classes engage in a shared theme. This year, it is "The Great Maritime Exploration."

Gardening:Our gardening projects offer children hands on lessons in nature, responsibility, and patience. They learn about plant growth, physical activity, and sensory experiences through tasks like planting and weeding, which enhance motor skills and overall strength. Gardening also promotes teamwork, communication, and healthier eating habits, as children engage in collective projects and taste fresh produce. Additionally, it teaches about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability while strengthening immune systems and supporting literacy and scientific understanding.

Sand Pits: Similar to gardening, It enhances fine motor skills and hand eye coordination through activities like digging and shaping. Sand play fosters imaginative and social skills, as children create scenarios and collaborate with peers. It promotes problem solving, creativity, and provides sensory experiences that help regulate emotions. Additionally, it introduces basic science and math concepts, such as volume and texture, through hands on exploration

Sensory Tables in class: They provide multi-sensory experiences that engage touch, sight, sound, and sometimes smell, aiding in better understanding and retention of topics taught. By manipulating materials like sand or water, children develop fine motor skills and hand strength, while also enhancing language and cognitive development through new vocabulary and concepts. Sensory tables can also teach academic skills like counting and sorting, encourage social interaction through group play, and support thematic learning, such as exploring seasons or storybooks. They offer calming, self soothing activities that help manage stress and foster creativity and critical thinking.

Cooking Workshops:Cooking workshops are a favourite among our students, teaching basic cooking skills, nutrition, and teamwork. Children practice math through measuring and following recipes, enhancing fractions and addition skills. Our kitchen is a space for experimenting and exploring recipes from various cultures to broaden their understanding of traditions and cuisines. Cooking improves fine motor skills through tasks like chopping and stirring, and it teaches responsibility, independence, and kitchen safety.

Field Trips and Park Outings: At Magnolia Kindergarten, we organise a monthly field trip related to our themes, enhancing classroom learning with real world experiences. These outings allow children to explore new environments, engage in physical activity, and develop social skills, boosting their curiosity and well Our teachers, trained as ‘Nature Guides,' make park visits particularly enriching.

In offering a variety of hands on experiences, we cater to each child's unique learning style. This approach helps them find what makes them happy and fuels their desire to understand the world.

At Magnolia Kindergarten, we are dedicated to fostering curious, confident, and capable young learners. Understanding that messy play and dedicated developmental activities can be challenging to implement at home, we have created a school environment where these essential aspects are seamlessly integrated into our daily routine.

If you live far from Magnolia Kindergarten, encourage your school to adopt hand on learning and introduce simple activities at home.

We hope this article will be beneficial to everyone, enthusiastic and dedicated parents, as well as passionate teachers. In 2024, it is essential to acknowledge the significant role that hands on stimulation plays in our children's development.

Feel free to reach out to us to tour our beautiful campus, meet our skilled team, and see the joy of learning on our children's faces.