Play with Purpose: How Sherwood High Encourages Joyful Learning
Because a child’s first lessons should feel like discovery, not instruction.
At Sherwood High, we believe that the early years of education play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s academic and personal development. Our approach to Pre-Primary education is centered on the idea that children should be nurtured through a combination of structured learning, play, and exploration. These formative years are not just about introducing children to academics, they are about fostering a love for learning, building essential life skills, and supporting emotional and social growth.
From the moment children step into our classrooms, they are greeted with an environment designed to stimulate their senses and spark their imagination. Our carefully curated spaces feature child-sized furniture, natural light, and sensory-rich materials that cater to the developmental needs of young learners. Interactive whiteboards, themed activity stations, and hands-on learning tools encourage children to explore and engage with the world around them, turning every corner of the room into an opportunity for discovery.
One of the key pillars of our Pre-Primary program is the integration of literacy and numeracy with hands-on, real-life experiences. We believe that foundational academic concepts such as phonics, numbers, shapes, and colours should not be taught in isolation but in ways that connect to the children’s natural curiosities.
For instance, we simplify literacy by using phonetic sounds to introduce children to the building blocks of reading. Through fun, interactive activities like storytelling, rhymes, and role-play, we help children develop a love for language and storytelling, all while strengthening their cognitive and motor skills. Similarly, numeracy is introduced through practical, real-world examples. We believe that when children are introduced to numeracy through playful, engaging activities, they develop a deeper understanding that will serve as a strong foundation for future learning.
In addition to developing literacy and numeracy skills, we also place a significant emphasis on fostering emotional and social growth. The Pre-Primary years are a time for children to build key social skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. Our classrooms are designed to encourage collaboration, where children can work together on projects, share their ideas, and solve problems as a team.
Through cooperative games, group activities, and role-playing, children learn how to express themselves, listen to others, and work through conflicts, skills that are vital for their emotional well-being and success in later life. Motor skills development is another important focus in our Pre-Primary program. Physical activity is not only crucial for a child’s overall health but also for their cognitive development. Through activities like dancing, jumping, balancing, and climbing, children strengthen their coordination and fine motor skills. These activities also help improve focus and concentration, preparing children for more complex tasks in the future. Additionally, our music and movement room allows children to express themselves creatively while improving their motor control and rhythmic sense. Our approach to learning extends beyond the classroom to the world around us.




