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Learning in Prep

What will your child do in Prep?

Prep teachers in state schools and most non-state schools use the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines. The guidelines are based on the play-and inquiry-based approach to learning which builds on the best aspects of Queensland's successful preschool program.

Registered primary school teachers and previous state preschool teachers teach Prep. With their professional knowledge and expertise, these teachers are ideally qualified and well prepared to teach Prep.

A key feature of Prep is that it makes connections between school and children's experiences at home, kindy or childcare.

In Prep your child will have opportunities to learn in many different ways, for example through investigation and play.

Children are encouraged to develop independence and personal organisational skills. Working with other children and adults is also an important life skill that is part of the prep program.

In Prep, children will be:

using blocks, creating collages and doing other activities that develop early mathematical concepts and skills
drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing skills
initiating and participating in dramatic play to build an understanding of the world around them
writing stories and copying signs as part of their play
playing and investigating independently, in pairs, small groups and as a whole class
participating in outdoor activities
actively making choices about what and how they learn
investigating and learning how to find out about their interests
planning with the teacher
participating in music and language experiences.

These learning experiences will help children to:

understand and use language to group, sort and describe objects and to communicate ideas, feelings and needs
develop early literacy and numeracy skills
develop independence and problem-solving skills
learn how to cooperate with others
develop physical coordination skills
listen, respond to and give directions
increase self-confidence.

Why is play important?

Children learn when they play. During play, they make decisions, solve problems, develop thinking skills, collaborate, communicate and develop a positive sense of self. As children grow older their play changes. It becomes more complex.

The table below shows examples of the types of play you might see in a Prep classroom.

Types of play	Examples
Socio-dramatic	Children setting up and running a flower shop
Fantasy	Children creating props for space adventures
Exploratory	Using blocks to investigate weight, height, number, shape and balance; looking through magnifying glasses to see how they work and the effect they have
Manipulative	Doing puzzles, making necklaces or constructions
Physical	Running, hopping, skipping, climbing, moving through obstacle courses
Games with rules	Playing board and card games, outdoor games, child-created games with rules

More information about the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines is also available from the Queensland Studies Authority

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