Striving for Independence “Help me to help myself”

Help children to work, play, co-operate with each other and function within a group beyond the family.        

Children leave with best all-round foundation for starting school.  

Self-Registration

At the start of each session, children are encouraged to find their name and place it in the post box. This helps develop a sense of self and belonging within the classroom and reinforces recognition of the phonics in their individual names.

Dressing Themselves and Self-Care

Children develop independence and confidence through daily self-care activities. These include practicing with popper, zip, and button frames in the Practical Life area, putting on coats and shoes, hanging belongings on their individual pegs, and placing completed work in their named trays or book bags. Hygiene routines, such as washing hands after using the toilet and using tissues independently, further promote self-reliance and personal responsibility.

Helping Themselves at Snack Time

Children are encouraged to serve themselves at snack time, choosing fruit and pouring milk or water from a jug. This builds independence, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and confidence in everyday tasks.

Imaginative Expression

Daily opportunities for creative and imaginative expression help children develop independence, critical thinking, and a sense of pride in their work. Activities include role play, arts and crafts, contributing ideas in discussions, and making choices about their learning.

Caring for Pets

Children learn responsibility and empathy by helping to care for our school fish, ‘Wibble’, and participating in the Living Egg Project each spring. During this project, they observe chicks hatching and care for them in their first two weeks of life, feeding them and handling them gently. Caring for living creatures encourages sensitivity, enriches language development, and strengthens children’s sense of independence.