Home School Links

An Extra Pair of Hands Makes a Difference!

In the Infant School we are always trying to encourage strong links between school and home.  One perfect way to do this is by inviting adults, such as parents and grandparents into the classroom to help. 

This year we have been asking parents to help support our discovery time.  Discovery time is an opportunity for the children to deepen their understanding of the concepts that they are focusing on during their Unit of Study or metaproject.  The teachers carefully plan the space, intentionally providing resources and creating an environment that will give the children opportunities to develop their understanding.  The best resource during this time is 'the extra pair of hands', and many different parents have volunteered to help during discovery time.  They are provided with support from the teachers and advised on the type of questioning that will help scaffold and support the children during this time.  

We have been fortunate to observe the wonderful interactions between parents and their own children, and their friends.  For many children, school is a separate existence from home, and they can be reluctant to talk about their day. By volunteering in school, it provides a mutual discussion point between school and home.  It also provides parents with an insight into how discovery time works, and how the Unit of Study connects.  The children are always so proud of sharing their learning with adults, and the time and interaction spent with that adult really helps to facilitate a deeper learning.  

We appreciate that for some parents it is not always easy to find time in a busy schedule to help in school, so we have tried to be as flexible in this approach as possible.  Some parents volunteer as a one off session that works with their schedule, and this is just as valuable as someone who is able to commit regularly.  There are a full range of activities on offer during our different discovery times, including programming, puppet making, imaginative play, dramatic theatre productions, creating mini communities or simply reading and sharing books.  

We thank all the parents who have given time to volunteer and we hope it has been as valuable experience for you as it has been for the children.

Written by Vicki Wright, Infant School Curriculum Support and Lynda Scott