Nursery school turns spotlight on literacy

By Michron Robinson

In a bid to boost literacy skills and to involve parents in the effort, the staff of the Olga Miller Nursery School on Friday hosted a programme under the theme Around the Ocean, we go exploring.

Students attended the presentation in themed dress whether it was a mermaid, a lifeguard or other character. The songs and poems were also based around the ocean theme and all the activity reflected the books that the children read.

School principal Sonia Barker said there will always be a place for physical books even as the world moves towards digital education.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY at the school’s Farm Gardens, St Philip location, she said “The child always learns from the adult, be it the teacher or the parent. If you are reading a book to a child, the child learns all the literacy skills by turning the pages… In terms of online you might listen to a story and that can improve the quality of your listening but for reading you need to see so that when the book is being read to you, you can see the words. There is always a place for reading a physical book,” she said.

The principal added that despite a recent comment that there is not a lot of activity in local schools around early childhood education, activities like the programme at her school are evidence that there is still a focus on literacy in these institutions.

“We just wanted to use this opportunity to highlight what happens in the nursery school where we focus a lot on play and learning and this play is intentional play,” Barker added.

She also called for parents to give their children more physical books though she acknowledged that there is a place for tablets and Kindle technology.

The event’s featured speaker Janelle Little, the Education Officer in the Nursery and Primary Section with the Ministry of Education called on parents to have conversations with their children to help with literacy.

“I encourage you to have conversations with your children because you have it within you to ensure that your children go into reception as literate children. They do not have to go into primary school guessing, not knowing anything about reading. You have the power within you to provide your children with a firm foundation. I hope that all of you are determined from today to make your children readers,” she said while offering a demonstration of how those conversations should go.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the programme Faith Lorde said she hopes parents are inspired to spend quality time with their children in meaningful interaction.

“This means giving children daily opportunities to simply talk, and explore language and alphabet principles through educational games. It makes learning more fun for students at this age. Parents should join in with their children to help keep the conversation going, thereby developing oral language in the process,” she said.

The students and teachers who packed the hall were treated to costume modeling, poem recital, dance and micro activity demonstrations involving the children. There was also a display of giant-sized books creatively displayed.

Lorde said that these activities also served as self-esteem boosters.

“Giving students the opportunity to perform, speak and dance can boost their confidence levels and bring them out of their shells. I’m happy to say that we have seen improvement in those students who were once shy and soft-spoken and are now carrying on a full conversation with teachers and their classmates. They are becoming bold, outspoken, and confident,” she added.

Lorde, who hailed the event a success, had a huge thank you for those who participated and to the teachers who worked tirelessly on the project.

“I would like to thank the teachers at Olga Millar Nursery for their dedication to the programme’s success, especially those who stayed behind many hours after school, as well as took the time to come to the school over the weekend to assist with décor and completion of their big books. Teaching is not a 9-3 job. Their work and commitment have not gone unnoticed. We have a very talented and creative teaching staff here at Olga Millar who worked very hard not just for this programme but throughout the entire school year.”

The school can be found on Instagram @ Olgamillarnursery. (MR)