Sri Lanka: Palathuduwa Preschool Support

Kids’ Fair Provides Learning Opportunity to Preschoolers: Q1 2017

June 01, 2017

Laknima Piyushani

Sri Lanka Initiative Reports

Kids' Fair

Program Update

RMF-Sponsored Activites

Classes and activities continued as planned, providing parents and guardians with support and advice in the proper care of their young children, and providing children with a safe environment, at least one nutritious meal a day, and quality preschool education, including health awareness, eco-awareness, diversity awareness, and basic communication technologies.

Quarterly Accomplishments:

There are 13 students currently registered in the preschool.
Every child participated in the first program of the year, the Kids’ Fair, where they had the opportunity to sing songs.
During the Kids’ Fair, the children were able to learn how to use their money to buy things, as well as how to sell their own goods.
The children deposited the money they earned from the Kids’ Fair into a savings account, which was an opportunity for them to learn why it is important to save money, and how it should be saved.
Supported the ability of children’s guardians to provide more care and protection for their children
Ensured the health and sanitation of the children
Prepared the children to become nature-loving, educated citizens
Educated the children on how to live in peace and harmony among different ethnic groups
Made the children aware of modern communication technology and its benefits

Lighting the oil lamp

Reopening Ceremony 2017

Welcoming Students

There were many participants in the Reopening Ceremony of Palathuduwa Preschool, including Soratha Thero (incumbent of Palathuduwa Temple), Mrs. Minerva Fernando (RMF coordinator), Mr. Nishantha Sandakelum (RMF accountant), two officers from People’s Bank (Tangalle branch), Principal Madam of Palathuduwa Preschool, four teachers from Palathuduwa Preschool, Mrs. K.A. Pushpa (head teacher of Palathuduwa Preschool), Ms. Sandali (assistant teacher of Palathuduwa Preschool), Ms. Piyushani (assistant teacher of Palathuduwa Preschool), new children of Palathuduwa Preschool, and the parents of the children.

After the Reopening Ceremony, where we registered 12 children for the new year with our preschool, parents and teachers discussed the idea of changing the uniform for this year. They decided on a T-shirt and skirt/shorts for the uniform. The price per T-shirt is Rs 500, and one student should have two uniforms. To reduce the cost to parents, who are very poor, parents can make the skirts or shorts for their children, and the school will attempt to collect money by writing a letter to a member of parliament asking for assistance.

In order for the school to be an attractive place to the kids, cartoon pictures were drawn on the walls of the building.

Teachers decided to hold a parents meeting once a month in order for the school to keep good communication and rapport with parents. Some parents do not come to drop off their children, but rather the children come to school with neighbors or other family members.

Officers from People’s Bank offered tills for every children, and they opened saving accounts with Rs 100 for each student. The officers said they will come once a month (on special activity days, such as the Kids’ Fair) to deposit the children’s money into their accounts.

The children learned how to sell their own goods during the fair.

Kids’ Fair

Learning Economics

Our first program of the year was a kids’ fair. Children brought different items for the fair. Teachers advised parents to discuss with each other which items they were bringing to the fair, to avoid duplicate items which would make them unable to sell to customers, who don’t buy two of the same thing. There were vegetables, fruits, short east, and sweets sold at our fair.

Madam Minerva opened the fair by purchasing items from every child. Some villagers, the school principal, and teachers from Palathuduwa Preschool came to visit our fair. Our children sold their goods well. Soratha Thero of Palathuduwa Temple came to watch the program and gave the children money. We informed the bank about our kid’s fair, and two officers came to the preschool to collect the children’s money to deposit into their accounts. The officers also presented a sticker card to each child to motivate them. Teachers also bought goods from every child. The parents were very supportive this year, and this event was a success because of their help.

Madam Minerva gave our children the opportunity to learn singing; they went to Hotel Thalasa for singing class. They practiced with Madam Minerva, and while looking at Madam Minerva’s mouth, they tried to sing well. While at the hotel, our children watched the swimming pool as well. On that day we got a present for each student.

We hold only one special event for this term because we started this year in February. The school’s very clever teachers, the parents, Soratha Thero of the Palathuduwa Temple, Madam Minerva along with her team, and the villagers help us carry out the best plan for this year.

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