The Virtual Teachers Training Session held on November 26, 2025 via Zoom brought together all Pre-Primary teachers for an enriching learning experience. Ms SabicaZehra, Pre Primary Coordinator, opened the session by welcoming the resource person, Ms ShamimAbidi, an Early Childhood Education Trainer from Switzerland, and expressed confidence in the value of the training.
Ms Abidi introduced the concept of Hands-on Learning Progression, emphasising that fun, engaging, and experiential activities form the foundation of effective early learning. She highlighted the scientific benefits of play-based methods, explaining how games reduce emotional stress, calm the mind, and support holistic development. Demonstrations such as pouring with different materials, block-based tasks for addition and height measurement, and concepts like more/less and empty/full illustrated how hands-on learning nurtures cognitive skills, language growth, and perspective-building. Since English is a second language for most learners, tactile exploration was emphasised as key to stimulating creativity and comprehension.
Covering phonics, storytelling, Mathematics, English, EVS, and physical-cognitive development, Ms Abidi guided teachers on setting behavioural boundaries and creating diverse learning corners, including sand and reading areas. To make Fitzroy Readers interactive, strategies like role-play, drawing, decoding, blending, segmenting, sight-word practice, and controlled vocabulary were recommended. She demonstrated integration of the readers with supporting software and shared thematic ideas such as rainbow stories and The Three Little Pigs. Collaborative tasks were assigned for the next session—one teacher to teach while another observes—and hands-on science projects were encouraged. The child’s Learning Window was explained, noting that nearly 80% of foundational learning occurs by age 2, narrowing by age 10.
The session concluded with Ms Abidi thanking teachers for their active participation. Attendees found the training highly informative, practical, and motivating for classroom implementation.
