DAY 5 LITTLE STARS AND PARRY PLAYGROUPS WENDY AND DILANEE

VISIT TO LITTLE STARS AND PARRY – TUESDAY

Dilanee and I set off in the van around 7am to visit the Little Stars and Parry Nurseries which were combining at the Little Stars building.

The road trip was long with rutted roads which were very difficult for the driver.  The landscape was .  very barren with only small farm houses along the way, and just farming as a means of earning money.  The children were waiting excitedly for us to arrive. 

We began with circle time which Dilanee ran, together with Cuddles, the bear from Heatherside Infants school.  The children were very shy at first even with the bear.  Dilanee asked them all to pass a smile around the circle and slowly they began to become less nervous.  We then did the Hockey Koakey which was enjoyed by everyone. 

After that we read the Gruffalo book and asked the students questions.  They did not seem to be frightened by the Gruffalo and were able to answer the questions we put to them about body parts and colours.  Following that we got out the Gruffalo masks and colouring pencils and crayons, together with the glue sticks and some sequins.  At first the children were not quite sure what to do with everything, but after being shown what to do they enjoyed decorating the masks.  At the end of the decorating we put sticks behind each mask so that the children could hold them.

For break time we gave them each a Milo drink and a sugar bun, and by this time it was nearing the end of the preschool time.  We took the children outside for a run around then gave them each a small ball which they could take home with them.  We had to show them what to do with the balls, then we got out the bubbles which they loved. 

Just to finish with we put on some music and let the children dance to it, holding their Gruffalo masks.  At home time each child went out with a lollipop, teadybear, Gruffalo mask and a small ball. 

The Parry playgroup had all arrived in two tuk tuks – about 15 children plus a teacher in each tuk tuk – what a sight to see!!! 

The mummies of the playgroup provided us with a lovely lunch and then we visited one family with one child at Little Stars playgroup.  After that we got back into the van for our long drive back to the hotel.

The children were amazing, and really enjoyed their dancing around to music holding their masks at the end of the session.