Dear Parents

Play is an essential part of a child’s development, offering opportunities for growth in various skills such as executive function, memory, and self-regulation. The Center on the Developing Child (CDC) outlines how play supports development at each stage of childhood:

• Babies at 6–9 months: Simple games like peekaboo and imitation games help babies practice motor skills and self-control. Hiding games promotes focus and working memory.

• Toddlers at 12–18 months: Activities like "dump and fill" games help toddlers build motor skills, while matching games and songs enhance memory and sequence recall.

• Toddlers at 2–3 years: Active songs and imitation games like "follow the leader" foster self-control and attention while encouraging physical activity.

• Children at 4–7 years: Classic games like Simon Says and Freeze Dance help develop self-regulation, memory, and physical coordination. Children also begin to exercise independence in their play.

• Children 8–12 years: Puzzle games, strategy games like Battleship, and fantasy games like Minecraft help improve memory, mental flexibility, and imagination.

• Teens at 13–17 years: Play, including sports, music, and video gaming, helps teens build executive function, adaptability, and focus while also offering necessary downtime to avoid burnout.

Each stage of play provides vital learning and brain-building opportunities, making play an important tool for fostering healthy development at every age.

A Peek Into Our Week

Starting today, we’ll be including a short weekly update to give you a little window into your child’s world at school. From the thoughtful moments indoors to the lively play and discoveries outside, we hope to share a glimpse of the learning, laughter, and growth happening each week.

Keep an eye out for A Peek into Our Week in each Friday memo—we look forward to sharing these moments with you!

Grade 000s 

This week, our Grade 000 class has been exploring the exciting world of pets!   The children learn about different kinds of pets, how to care for them, and what makes each special. We’ve been reading stories, singing songs, and enjoying fun crafts—all centered around our furry, feathery, and scaly friends.

Here’s what we’ve been focusing on this week:

• Talking about pets we have at home or would love to have

• Learning what pets need (food, water, love, and care!)

• Creating pet-themed art and singing animal songs

If your child has a favourite pet or a pet at home, feel free to send a photo or a little story for them to share with the class. We love making learning personal and fun!

Grade 00

This week, our Grade 00 learners have been joyfully exploring the theme of Pets. Through rich discussions, the children have been learning about different kinds of pets, what they eat, where they live, and how we care for them. Their curiosity and enthusiasm have truly brought the theme to life!

One of the highlights of the week was a creative art activity where learners used bubble wrap to paint fish, creating beautifully textured artwork. It was a sensory-rich experience that blended learning with fun and imagination.

Grade R

As part of their compulsory weekly programme, our Grade R children participate in a dedicated Art lesson designed to nurture creativity, develop fine motor skills, and encourage self-expression. These sessions give children the opportunity to explore colour, texture, and various art techniques in a playful and meaningful way.

Art in Grade R is not just about the final product—it’s about the process: experimenting, making choices, and gaining confidence in their abilities. It also supports important developmental goals, such as hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, all while having fun.

We look forward to sharing some of their colourful creations with you throughout the quarter!

Outreach - Last week for donations 

Cake Sales – Thank you

Thank you to the Grade R parents who helped with today’s cake sale!

We truly appreciate your time and effort. Your support made the morning run smoothly and brought lots of joy to the children—we couldn’t have done it without you.

Looking ahead, we kindly ask that parents use the relevant sign-up forms (shared closer to the time) if they would like to help with their child’s cake sale. Each grade has a turn to contribute, and the children always look forward to their special treat day.

Cupcakes, popcorn, crisps, muffins, and similar snacks may be sent to class on your child’s allocated cake sale date. Please ensure all items are nut-free and do not include sweets.

To help keep little appetites in check, we recommend a maximum of R2 per child on the day. You’re welcome to send this in a sealed envelope or packet, or prepay for the term:

• R6 per quarter

• R18 for the remainder of the year

🍰 Cake Sale Dates – Autumn Quarter 🍰
📅 16 May – Grade 00
📅 20 June – Grade 000 & Crackerjacks

Not all parents will need to attend, as too many adults can feel overwhelming for the children. Please arrive no earlier than 09h45 to help with the set-up.

Thank you for your continued support!

Health and Development Focus and Tips

Immunisation Records

Kindly email your child's updated immunisation record to Nurse Dolley at adolley@parklands.co.za

2025 Dates 

Please note that there has been a slight change to the 2025 dates indicated in blue below:

Provisional dates for 2025
Autumn Quarter: 08 April- 25 June
*Mid-term break: 29 April – 2 May
Winter Quarter: 22 July – 23 Sept
Spring Quarter: 14 October – 05 December

Autumn Quarter Extra Mural Sign-up Form - CLOSED 

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the Autumn Quarter Extra Mural activities. The form is now closed, and no further submissions can be accepted.

We’re looking forward to a fun and enriching quarter ahead—extra murals will commence on Monday, 14 April!

Autumn Quarter Important Dates 

14 April: Extra Murals Commence

18 April Public Holiday - Good Friday 

21 April: Public Holiday - Family Day

23 April: World Book Day - Dress Up as your favourite book character 

22 - 25 April: Science Week

27 April: Public Holiday: Freedom Day

28 April: Public Holiday

MID-TERM BREAK

29 APRIL - 2 MAY

1 May: Public Holiday: Workers Day  

5 May: Author: Roslynne Toerien visiting Gr R - 3

9 May: Slipper Day - Reach for a Dream Foundation

11 May: Mother’s Day

14 May: May Play Photographs - Grade 000 & R

15 May: May Play Photographs - Grade 00 

16 May: Grade 00 Cake Sale 

23 May: Grade 00 Occupational Dress-up Day 

24 May: Open Day 

28 May: Build your burger with Chef Kerry 

29 May: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

29 May: 10:30 - 11:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

30 May: 09:00 - 10:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

30 May: 10:30 - 11:00 May Play (Grade 000 - R) 

1 June: International Children’s Day 

  Happy Birthday Kerry Kemp

2 June: Happy Birthday Chanay De Klerk

International Children's Day- Movie & Pop Corn (Grade 000 - R) in the hall
Crackerjacks Music & Marshmallow in their classes       

13 June: Reports sent to parents 

15 June: Father’s Day

16 June: Public Holiday: Youth Day 

17-20 June: Report Feedback Meetings Grade 0000 - R

20 June: Grade 000 and Crackerjacks Cake Sale 

24 June: Winter Olympics and R20 ‘entry’ fee towards Grant Pienaar Foundation

25 June: Last day of the quarter  

29 June: Happy Birthday Litho Voxeka

Theme Discussions

We are passionate about a creative, rich, authentic, and layered approach to learning for our little ones. Theme-related learning allows for the child to learn about their world and the world around them. Below is an overview of our Autumn Quarter weekly theme discussions and learning focus, as well as an overview of the 2025 themes.

2025 Themes 

Please click on the link below for details on our summer quarter theme discussions in each grade:

Grade 0000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 000 Theme Discussions 

Grade 00 Theme Discussions 

Grade R Theme Discussions 

Conclusion

What a lively start to the quarter it’s been! We were welcomed back by rumbling skies and rainy weather, which made for some cosy classroom moments. The excitement continued with two wonderful days of Megan’s Mobile Petting Zoo—always a highlight for the children. We ended the week on a sweet note with our first cake sale of the quarter.

Wishing all a lovely weekend.