Letters and Numbers
In this day and age if a child goes to Grade 1 not knowing how to use a pair of scissors she’s got a problem. Even not being able to colour in smoothly is a handicap. Not knowing letters and numbers is a catastrophe, a potentially frightening, bewildering, humiliating experience for a poor little soul who has been let down very badly by the adults in his world.
A lot of time is spent in the school day at Pikkewyntjies teaching numbers and letters and I have to say I feel quite envious when I remember how boring our ‘arithmetic’ lessons were. The lessons and practice exercises the Pikkewyntjies teachers prepare for the children are fun and challenging. Sometimes too challenging for one or other Pikkewyntjie, one can always spot the consternation, but then one of their kind teachers will come to their rescue and help them understand. Preschool is the place to do that where there is time and support in small classes.
I wish there were preschools like Pikkewyntjies all over South Africa - just think of the impact.
