Play and activity centres
Different play and activity centres are ideally suited to language immersion. Our kindergartens are arranged to inspire children to play and work together in small groups in many different ways.
Plenty of different options
The play centres are designed to interest both girls and boys and to suit all the children at the kindergarten, from 4-year-olds to pre-primary age. Examples of centre themes include art, home corner, gym, Barbies, Pet Shop toys, cars, space, games, building and the library. The centres are updated according to the children's interests and each year's themes.
The materials for each type of play or activity are kept in their own centre, so children can easily see what there is to do at each one. A play area becomes an activity centre when the activity is more guided.
Children usually go to the centres to play in small groups. They choose centres according to their own interests, but teachers also guide them to make use of a variety of centres. Teachers encourage the children to get to know everyone in the group rather than only playing with their best friends.
Art
Drawing, painting and crafts in English.
Home corner
Role play that develops social skills and language.
Gym
Physical activity and practising motor skills.
Games and building
Board games, puzzles and building in small groups.
Library
Reading time and stories in English and Finnish.
Space and cars
Imaginative play around themes that are refreshed regularly.
Variety builds language skills
The play and activity centres are planned so that children have plenty of interesting things to do throughout the day. Playing at the different centres gives children varied, hands-on practice with the spoken language. Play is a child's most natural way of doing things. Through play, children gather information about their surroundings, get to know themselves and learn to use social skills, among other things, as they play with others.