“ Start Small Dream Big ” ( SSDB ) project 2018 for our preschool was conceptualized to focus on two key themes , namely “ Caring for our Ecosystem and Environment ” and “ Caring for Others ”.
We officially launched our SSDB project on 26th April 2018 . A slew of activities and mini projects that the children had undertaken were showcased during the launch party . Since then , the children have undertaken new mini projects and participated in other activities .
Caring for our Ecosystem and Environment
Under the theme “ Caring for our Ecosystem and Environment ” , the children were introduced to the key concept of the 3Rs ( Reduce , Reuse and Recycle ) . Learning about the 3Rs helped the children become more environmentally aware and also made them realized that pollution and waste is a threat to our Earth ecosystem and the environment we lived in .
Below is a summary of all the activities and mini projects that the children have done that falls under this theme .
World Water Day
In conjunction with the theme of “ Make Every Drop Count ” for Singapore World Water Day 2018 , the children were taught different ways to save water in their daily lives . The children also designed a “ World Water Day ” poster based on different ways and scenarios where water can be conserved .
As an extension activity , the children were instructed to snap photos of them at home putting those water saving tips that they have learned into practice .
The photos above showed the children using collected rain water and washed rice water to water their plants at home .
Earth Day 2018
The theme for Earth Day 2018 is “ End Plastic Pollution ” . The children were taught and prompted to come up with ideas and suggestions on how to reduce , reuse and recycle plastic materials in their daily lives .
During our launch party we showcased the different types of games and crafts that the children made using different plastic materials .
A trip to the neighbourhood supermarket
Having inculcated to the children the importance of the 3Rs , an experiential learning trip to the neighbourhood supermarket was planned for the children .During the trip the children were taught how to reduce the usage of plastic bags by shopping with their own recycle bags . The children bought fruits at the supermarket for their fruity day consumption . Parents and PSG ( Parents Support Group ) members also joined us for the trip .
A Trip to the Zoo and River Safari
As part of the children’s IGP project ( Learning Goes Wild @ Singapore Zoo and River Safari 2018 ) , they were invited to visit the zoo on 28th June 2018 and the River Safari on 13th July 2018 . During these two trips , besides learning about the animals they see ; they also learn about how pollution and waste are harmful to the ecosystem as well as a threat to the animal’s natural habitats . During the trip to the zoo , the children were asked to purchase a water bottle at the zoo’s gift shop and subsequently to bring along their water bottle during their trip to the River Safari so that they can use it to refill water at the public water coolers . The children were further encouraged to bring along their water bottles to school everyday and future outings .
After the field trips , the children reflected and engaged in discussions actively on what they had learned . They decided to take the initiative to design an anti-litter poster for the zoo. They chose the pandas as the mascot for their poster as they learned that pandas are vulnerable to extinction .
Collection of old clothes
Prior to our launch party , we had encouraged our parents , their friends and neighbours to donate unwanted old clothes to our school . The children helped to sort out the old clothes into those that were to be subsequently reduced to rags and those that can be cut up and use for the making of teaching aids and learning corner games .
Waste management – Classifying , Sorting and Disposal
This activity was designed to build upon what the children have learned about the concept of the 3Rs . In this activity , the children were taught the different types of waste , recyclable and non-recyclable waste and the common types of recycle bins found around their neighbourhood .
For the period of a school term , the children were instructed to bring unwanted items from home which they think are recyclable . They were taught to sort and classify what they have brought into recyclable and non-recyclable items . The activity concluded with the children taking a short walk to the nearest recycle bin to dispose off all the recyclable items that they had brought .
Anti-Litter Heros
On 18th July 2018 we organised a trip to the Jurong Central Park where the children and teachers went about clearing and picking up litter from the park . Parents and members of our Parents Support Group also joined us for this activity .
Caring for Others
The theme of “ Caring for Others ” consists of two main parts , namely “ Caring for our Community ” and “ Caring for our Family ” . We also worked in partnership with the Singapore Kindness movement and use the resources that they provided to enhance our teaching of positive behaviours towards community and family as well as developing the children’s social awareness . Below is a summary of all the activities and mini projects that the children have done that falls under this theme .
A trip to the library
Before donating the old books to the library , children were taught how to repair the torn pages and covers of the donated books . They also learned how to take care of their books . On 26th July 2018 , we organised a trip to the Jurong West Library to donate the used books that we had collected . During this trip , the children also presented the librarians with a pot of flowers that they had made using recycled materials . The librarians gave the children a talk on basic public library etiquette and manners .
Mother’s Day surprise
In order to surprise and show appreciation to their mothers , the children decided to make use of recycled materials to make carnation flowers for their mothers . The children were tasked to take a photo of them presenting the carnation to their mothers .
A helping hand at home
The children were taught to understand that there are different ways to show kindness to their families . For this activity , the children helped out with household chores such as washing dishes , sorting out clothings and etc . The children brought their photos to class for show and tell .
Kindness wall
The children help to set up a mini kindness wall which showcased the positive behaviours that they exhibit both in school as well as at home .
An invitation to our senior citizens
This is the last activity for our SSDB project 2018 and a most fruitful and meaningful one also .
As part of the children’s “ community outreach ” , we invited members from the Frontier CC Senior Citizen Consultative Committee to spend an afternoon with our children on 29th August 2018 .
We welcome our distinguished guests with a Chinese poetry singing performance put up by our children .
As children nowadays are spending more and more time with their grandparents , a presentation was conducted to share tips and techniques grandparents could employ during reading sessions with their grandchildren . The presentation was followed by the senior citizens partnering our children in an art and craft session . The completed craft work was presented to our senior citizens .
The guests were also invited to pen words of encouragement for our children .
To the surprised of our children , the guests also put up a magic show for our children .
We were thankful to the guests for putting up the magic show and the activity ending with refreshments for all .
The children definitely learned from all the activities and projects planned for them and had enjoyed themselves throughout this learning journey .