Saint-Didier primary school

Cycle 1: Activity board
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Three activity cards

The activity board is a simple system that provides a certain form of independence to the pupils.

It is used during the welcome period, and for activity groups. It consists of a large panel of wood placed against a piece of furniture in the middle of the room. A column is drawn up for each workshop. Hooks are placed in each column, one for the name of the activity group, the others for the first names of the children. The number of hooks in each column indicates the number of places available for that activity. So far we have:

A form of independence

kitchen dolls  shops house garage games drawing modelling library

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Each child has a rigid perforated card with their first name and, if necessary, a photo. The activity cards are placed next to the activity board.

When the infants arrive during the welcome period, they will retrieve their card in order to register at the activity board. Very young children may be helped by the adult accompanying them, by the nurse assistant, by the teacher or by an older child. They register for whichever activity they want to start the day with. At the end of the first activity, they register for another activity, again using their card.

If a child wants to join an activity group that is full, then he has three choices: choose another activity, wait, or persuade the registered children to register for a different activity instead.

The children have total freedom in choosing what they want to do. This act of deciding what to do is important in itself since the children are actively making their own decisions rather than following those of others.

The board is also relevant in terms of social skills:

  • The oldest children help the smallest children to register. The older children may also use this situation to their advantage since the younger child with no particular preferences can be easily directed away from their favoured activity.

  • The children do not register on the basis of the activity alone, but also to be with their friends.

Outside of the welcome period, the activity board is also used for the structured activities, in which the children can move around freely according to available places.

Corinne Famelart

and Paul Psaltopoulos



View of the activity board

This page has been translated from French by Andreas Theodorou.

 

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summary > school > cycle 1

Last Update :04/26/05