ACTIVITIES IN OUR KINDERGARTEN

MUSIC LESSONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDGAR WILLEMS'S METHOD

An introduction to music according to Edgar Willems's methodology allows for
a comprehensive and systematic approach to music education in early childhood.
Through guided activities, the children develop musical skills and acquire basic musical knowledge.
The programme encompasses two levels and is intended for children from the age of 4 onwards.
Each lesson is divided into four parts: auditory perception, rhythm recognition and performance, singing songs, and natural body movements.
Auditory perception refers to the children learning to compare sounds by using bells, repeating and inventing low and high tones etc.
As for rhythm, the children learn it through playing relaxing games and performing rhythmic sequences using their hands or percussion tools.
The central part of the lesson is the one when the children sing songs; they learn and perform a variety of folk and original songs,
all of which are both musically and content-wise suitable for preschool children.
The singing is often accompanied by the usage of small instruments.
At the end of each lesson, the children relax by moving their bodies to the music, e.g. walking, running, jumping, galloping, hopping etc.
By participating in these music lessons, the children develop their musical taste
and shape their attitude towards music and art in a broader sense.
The music lessons are taught by Mojca K. Sušnik, a professional Willems teacher and musicologist. These lessons are held in the morning and free of charge, and are intended for children from the age of 4 onwards.

NTC EXERCISES

Early development and early stimulation are key factors in child development. The brain develops at a powerful rate until the age of 7, and then until the age of 12, so during this period, using appropriate exercises and activities can help children in developing their biological potential. Each NTC workshop is composed so that it contains elements that develop complex motor activities, mental categorisation, mental seriation and association, the development of divergent and convergent thinking, as well as functional knowledge. During these workshops, the children have meaningful tasks at hand; they have to both think and play.

The workshops are run by Jan Peljhan, held in the morning and free of charge.

SWIMMING AND SKIING LESSONS

Our kindergarten runs a swimming course twice a year in cooperation with "Vodno mesto Atlantis" water park, and a skiing course once a year (provided that the winter conditions are suitable) at the Šentjošt nad Horjulom ski resort.

COOPERATION WITH THE PARENTS

In addition to the typical formal interactions, such as the parent-teacher meetings, we make sure to provide other, more relaxed occasions for cooperation.

At the beginning of each school year, we organise a so-called 'chestnut picnic' that makes it easier for everyone to get to know each other better. Our traditional New Year's Bazaar follows soon after – a primarily charity-themed event which doubles as a wonderful event to celebrate the end of the year. Each December, we also collect food to donate to Anina Zvezdica; last year we even paid them a visit and distributed the food we brought ourselves in their warehouse! ✨

We welcome the New Year by hosting an evening at the kindergarten for the moms and another one for the dads. These are two very special evenings during which the children are joined by one of their parents and have an opportunity to show them what they enjoy doing most each morning at the kindergarten. This way, the parents get to peak into our everyday lives in a wonderful way. 🥰

Finally, towards the end of the school year, we usually all go on a light hike on a hill, together with our parents and siblings.🌳

READING AT THE KINDERGARTEN

Reading is an essential part of our everyday life.
Every day we read Slovenian and English books to the children before nap time, plus at all times there is a wide selection of books available in the rooms' book corners.
In addition to this, we also carry out Živa Ribičič's new book club programme, which is free for parents and children of Modra Pikica.
The parents only pay for the book (it is possible to borrow it, though) and the applicable entry fees for the activity (e.g. entrance to the zoo).
The book club is available for both age groups (for children from their birth onwards), but always adapted to the specific age group in question.
It is an innovative and original programme, the first of its kind in Slovenia.