Posted: Thursday 15 July 2010

Children up for the Challenge at Kilmarnock College

Children up for the Challenge at Kilmarnock College

Primary two pupils from St Andrew’s Primary School in Kilmarnock recently took part in a fun morning of pioneering learning activities, organised by Early Education students at Kilmarnock College as part of their Active Learning Challenge project.

 Throughout the year, students from HNC Early Education and Childcare have been developing a series of challenges that encourage interactive learning, team building and problem solving, and as an end of year treat students invited pupils from St Andrew’s Primary School along to take part in the learning activities. The schoolchildren’s spelling and mathematics skills were put to the test by two games called Alphabet Soup and Nutty Numbers, while their knowledge of healthy eating was gauged by a game entitled Sweet Street Vs Healthy House.

 Rhona McCluskie, Early Education and Childcare Curriculum Manager at Kilmarnock College, said: “The students put a lot of thought and effort into this event and the pupils really enjoyed the experience. The feedback we received from the school was also very positive and we hope to host similar learning events in the future.”

Intermediate 1 Early Education and Childcare students from Kilmarnock College have also been gaining some hands-on experience this month, as they welcomed children from Henderson’s Playgroup to the College. As part of their Music and Play unit, students organised a show for the children highlighting the life cycle of a caterpillar. The show, entitled The Hungry Caterpillar, went down a storm with the children and Intermediate 1 student, Fiona Murphy (35) from Kilmarnock, was cast as role of Caterpillar.

Fiona said: “The show was a fantastic way to end the wonderful year we have all enjoyed on the course. We all had such a good time organising and taking part in the show and we are certain the children enjoyed themselves too. The Intermediate 1 Early Education and Childcare course at Kilmarnock College has been everything I hoped and more. Prior to coming to the College, I worked full-time in a local laundrette but I was unfulfilled and keen to pursue a career in childcare. Although I was apprehensive about returning to education, I’m glad I did and I received excellent support from my lecturers. After the summer, I will progress on to the Intermediate 2 course at the College, working eventually up to HNC level, and then hopefully gaining full-time employment.”

For further information on the Early Education and Childcare courses at Kilmarnock College, please call 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.

Picture 1 – Fiona Murphy HNC Early Education and Childcare student dressed as a caterpillar.

Picture 2 - St Andrews Primary School pupils taking part in Sweet Street Vs Healthy House, with HNC Early Education and Childcare students.

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 For more information, contact:

Ross Henderson, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) ross@halogencom.com.

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