You’re never too small to learn

From 'circle time' to 'finger plays', a new concept of early education for toddlers as young as eight weeks is what the International Children's House offers

Ever explored the numerous possibilities open to your infant, besides crawling around and looking cute? Well here’s something that might come as a surprise…the youngest student of the International Children’s House, newly opened in Colombo 7 is just eight weeks old!

This family affair has introduced an entirely new concept to early education in Sri Lanka. Many parents are unaware of the level of receptivity and response a child between the ages of six and fifteen weeks is capable of, said Piyumi De Silva who’s in charge of the toddler programme. The toddler programme is for kids between the ages of 15 months to 2½ years, she explained. “We guarantee a ratio of one teacher to every four children in both the infant and toddler programme to ensure more individualised attention, she added.

“My programme is essentially to do with sharing and independence, whilst at the same time developing language and motor skills,” said Piyumi. During ‘Circle Time’, the toddlers form a circle and sing songs, participate in ‘finger plays’ (learning via finger puppets) and are introduced to new things, like shapes and colours etc., she elaborated.

Then, there is also creative art time, where the toddlers can play around with paper and glue (basic handwork) to improve their motor skills (hand eye co-ordination etc.,) and creativity.

They are also taught how to wash their hands before and after meals and clean-up after circle time. “Many parents have told us that they try to clean up after they play even when they’re at home, which is the main objective of teaching them to do so,” she said smilingly. The kids are also potty trained and have a specified napping time on individual mats. On certain warm days, the infant pool is brought out and kids are requested to bring their swimwear so they can play around in the water, said Piyumi. “The kids also enjoy the ‘Dramatic Play’ segment where they dress up in costumes and play all types of characters,” said Piyumi.

Having left Sri Lanka straight after her O/L’s, Piyumi graduated in Child Psychology from the California State University, Fullerton and worked at the Unified School District and other private schools in California for six years. Having been awarded life membership from the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), she and her mother decided to return to Sri Lanka and start off on their own.

Piyumi’s mother, Yamuna De Silva, having qualified in early education (specialising in infant-toddler) from the City College in Long Beach, also worked throughout her stay in the States and now handles the infant programme at the Children’s House here. Both she and Piyumi are also qualified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in case of an emergency, she said.

The infant programme takes in kids between six and fifteen weeks, said Mrs. De Silva, as there are many couples who both work nowadays.

“Parents are provided a daily report on the feeding, diaper and sleeping schedule of each child, so they are fully updated on their child’s wellbeing,” she added.
Meanwhile, her elder daughter, Nilanka Silva, having done her Diploma in Montessori, teaches the pre-schoolers, making it very much a mother-daughter(s) venture!