In this final session we will be bringing all the developmental areas and newly acquired knowledge together. Students will be enjoying a range of activities, while parents/guardians take part in a discussion of what has been covered and what their experience has been.

In this session we will be discussing wellbeing and emotional development. Students will be immersed in activities which promote relaxation through gentle movement, self massage and quiet time. They will also focus on resilience by identifying various emotions and tools to improve wellbeing. Parents/guardians will take part in an informative session and discussion time. Wellbeing, resilience, self esteem and dealing with stress are important foundation stones in developing a healthy and emotionally balanced self and life.

In this session we will be discussing the importance of self expression through art, music and dance. Students will be immersed in creative activities while parents/guardians take part in an informative session and discussion time.

Home based activities will be demonstrated and made available to parents and guardians.

In this session we will be discussing the importance of play and games based learning. This is a topic very close to our hearts as our teaching at the Blue Door is active and we incorporate games as much as we can in our sessions. Free play and discovery, as well as more structured games each have a role to play. A relaxed child learns better and we know from research that active learning has a strong effect on retaining concepts and skills. This is a time to play for the children and the adults!

In our fifth session, we will be discussing the development of social skills and interpersonal communication. While the children take part in activities which will stimulate personal interactive communication, parents/guardians will be exploring different ways of encouraging the development of the social skills necessary to flourish within a school environment. Making friends and sharing experiences with others is one of the most important aspects of school life, and it can have a significant impact on the happiness and confidence of children as they start their journey into the school environment.

After our language and mathematics based sessions, we will now be focusing on gross and fine motor skill development. Students will be immersed in motor skill based activities while parents/guardians take part in an informative session and discussion time.

Useful tools including developmental charts and home based activities will be demonstrated and made available to parents and guardians.

After having covered language and literacy, we will be delving into the areas of number and mathematics. We will be sharing the various developmental skills needed to tackle early mathematical concepts. The children will be immersed in number based activities while parents/guardians take part in this informative session and discussion time.

Useful tools and home based activities will be demonstrated and made available to parents and guardians.

After our session on oral language development, this event will be centred around written language and in particular reading. We will share our extensive knowledge in the area of early literacy and share the developmental skills required for reading success. One of the most important underlying processes for reading development is phonological awareness and we will demonstrate a range of phonologically based activities. At the same time, the children will be immersed in early literacy activities.

In this first session we will be discussing oral language development. Students will be immersed in language based activities while parents/guardians take part in an informative session and discussion time. We will share the importance of receptive and expressive language skills and the strong effect it has on both oral and written language comprehension, as well as interpersonal communication and social skills.

Useful tools including developmental charts and home based activities will be demonstrated and made available to parents and guardians.

The School Readiness Program is uniquely designed to benefit parents/guardians and children alike.

We will inform parents/guardians of pre-school aged children of the various developmental areas which form the basis of a solid and successful entry into primary education. Speakers are Jenny Vanderzweep and Kerry Anne Armstrong, two highly experienced and trained teachers in the field of individual student development and needs - one with a Primary School background, the other specialising in Early Childhood education.

Meanwhile, children attending the sessions will be led through small group activities designed by specialist teachers, to further develop their learning and social-emotional skills. This part of the program is coordinated by individual needs teacher and Blue Door tutor Monika Sztendur, who will lead a small team of educators.

This will be an introductory session, where we will present an overview of the program to prospective parents/guardians interested in participating.

We will present a snapshot of the information that will be presented to parents over the next nine weeks and the content of the students’ sessions.

Pricing: Introductory session $20 (incl. light refreshments)

Participation in 9-week program: $360 including activity sessions for 1 child / $270 for parent-only participation.