Specialist Teaching in Nursery and Reception At DUCKS we are fortunate to have a number of specialist teachers for PE, Music and Modern Foreign Languages. The Infants’ School has a Learning Support Co-ordinator, providing specialised individual and small group lessons. This role also covers English as an Additional Language (EAL). In addition we have a part time specialist teacher who also works with individuals and groups, focusing on Literacy skills. Dance Dance ignites our children’s love of movement through the medium of music. Initially different forms of moving and travelling are introduced based on musical tracks that are heard and quickly learned. Movements are controlled and specific and encourage children not only to investigate their use of space but also to begin to utilise their imagination. Later on more complex narrations and soundscapes help children to re-enact stories and use creativity and expression to bring the stories they hear to life in a unique way. Modern Foreign Languages At DUCKS our aim is to create a good foundation of how to listen to and speak modern foreign languages and to teach the initial skills for language learning through French lessons. We aim to encourage children to approach learning new languages and explore different cultures with interest and enthusiasm. The emphasis is on the spoken word and activities include singing, games, role-play and stories. Music Children are encouraged to participate in various activities including singing, listening, composition and performance involving lots of hands- on experience with a range of percussion instruments. Reception children have the opportunity to take up individual piano and violin lessons during the day with one of our peripatetic music teachers. Details of how to take up these lessons will be explained at the Early Years Curriculum Evening. PE Indoor and outdoor space is used to enable children to explore their physical skills and aid assessment of their physical development and progress. Small group gymnastics go hand in hand with initial dance objectives, and the children explore travelling across the floor and along low level benches. This enables the children to transition on to larger apparatus as they learn to travel high, low, through, around, under and over. Outdoor disciplines introduce the children to developing the skills for catching or propelling an object using hands or when kicking with feet. Most importantly, children are encouraged to communicate positively with adults and each other and to foster the concept of team work, which is developed further in KS1. During the Summer Term, Reception children begin weekly swimming lessons which take place in the pool at Dulwich College. There are always three swimming teachers in the pool alongside the children and the classroom teacher or teaching assistant are on the poolside.
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