For young learners, education is most effective when it feels natural and engaging. At Verbum Dei Academy, the nursery and primary section of Verbum Dei Schools, pupils are encouraged to learn not just from books and lessons, but also through play and exploration. This approach transforms learning from a routine task into an exciting adventure where children actively discover the world around them.

Why Play Matters in Learning

1. Hands-On Learning
   Play allows children to experience concepts physically. For example, stacking blocks is not just fun but also teaches balance, measurement, and problem-solving.
2. Encouraging Curiosity
   Children are naturally curious. Play gives them a safe and structured way to ask questions, test ideas, and explore new possibilities.
3. Developing Social Skills
   Through group play, pupils learn how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts — vital skills for their personal and academic lives.
4. Boosting Confidence
   Play gives children opportunities to try, fail, and try again. Every small success helps build resilience and confidence.

Exploration as a Tool for Growth

At Verbum Dei Academy, exploration is seen as learning in action. Teachers encourage pupils to:

• Ask Questions – Every “why” and “how” leads to deeper understanding.
• Experiment – Simple science experiments or creative art projects turn abstract concepts into practical lessons.
• Discover Outdoors – Nature walks, gardening, and outdoor observations help pupils connect their classroom knowledge to real life.

How Verbum Dei Academy Integrates Play and Exploration

1. Interactive Classrooms
   Lessons are designed to include play-based activities — from role-playing stories to using toys and games for mathematics and literacy practice.
2. Creative Arts and Crafts
   Pupils explore their imaginations through drawing, painting, and crafts, which build fine motor skills and encourage creativity.
3. STEM-Inspired Exploration
   Even at an early age, children are introduced to problem-solving and logical thinking through puzzles, building sets, and hands-on experiments.
4. Playgrounds as Learning Spaces
   The school playground is more than just a place for fun — it’s a space where pupils learn teamwork, resilience, and healthy competition.

The Benefits for Pupils

The combination of play and exploration at Verbum Dei Academy ensures that children:

• Stay engaged and motivated in their studies.
• Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills naturally.
• Form strong social bonds that support their emotional well-being.
• Build a love for learning that lasts well into their higher education.

Conclusion

At Verbum Dei Academy, play is not a break from learning — it is an essential part of it. By weaving exploration into daily activities, the Academy nurtures curious, creative, and confident pupils. This foundation ensures that when children progress to higher classes, they carry with them not just knowledge, but also the joy of discovery.

Because at Verbum Dei, education is not about memorizing facts — it’s about learning to love learning itself.

Introduction

Children are natural scientists. From the moment they begin to explore their world, they ask questions, experiment, and search for answers: Why is the sky blue? What happens if I drop this toy? How do plants grow? Science begins in curiosity, and when nurtured early, it shapes children into critical thinkers and problem-solvers.

At Verbum Dei Academy, we believe that primary school is the perfect stage to plant the seeds of scientific inquiry. By combining hands-on learning, interactive teaching, and a spirit of discovery, we help pupils not just learn science, but love science.

Why Early Science Education Matters

1. Builds Curiosity and Creativity

Science taps into children’s natural desire to explore. By asking questions and seeking answers, they learn to think creatively and outside the box.

2. Develops Problem-Solving Skills

Science encourages experimentation. When children test ideas, make mistakes, and try again, they develop resilience and problem-solving abilities.

3. Strengthens Academic Foundation

Early science lays the groundwork for advanced studies in secondary school and beyond. Subjects like mathematics, engineering, and technology all build on scientific principles introduced at the primary level.

4. Prepares Children for a Changing World

The world is increasingly driven by science and technology. Introducing pupils to science early ensures they grow up prepared to participate meaningfully in the future.

The Verbum Dei Academy Approach to Science

At Verbum Dei Academy, science is not just a subject—it is an experience. We use innovative strategies to make science enjoyable, practical, and memorable.

1. Hands-On Experiments

Children learn best when they see, touch, and try. Instead of only reading about concepts, our pupils carry out simple, safe experiments. For example:

• Observing how seeds sprout in cotton wool.
• Mixing colors with water to see how new shades form.
• Exploring floating and sinking with everyday objects.

These activities make science real and fun.

2. Interactive Lessons

Our teachers use visuals, models, and technology to explain scientific ideas. Interactive whiteboards, science videos, and creative storytelling bring lessons to life, making even complex ideas understandable.

3. Everyday Science Connections

Science is everywhere, and we help children see it in daily life:

• Cooking as a lesson in heat and change.
• Weather discussions as an introduction to climate.
• Playtime as an opportunity to explain motion and energy.

This approach ensures children never see science as something distant from their reality.

4. Field Trips and Outdoor Learning

At Verbum Dei Academy, pupils go on supervised excursions that connect science to the real world—visiting botanical gardens, science museums, or nature parks. These experiences spark excitement and deepen understanding.

5. Encouraging Questions

We foster a culture where every “Why?” is welcomed. Teachers encourage pupils to ask questions, no matter how simple or unusual, and guide them toward answers through exploration rather than memorization.

Science for Character Development

Beyond knowledge, science also builds important life skills:

• Patience: Waiting for plants to grow or experiments to finish teaches delayed gratification.
• Teamwork: Group projects encourage cooperation and shared responsibility.
• Resilience: Not all experiments succeed the first time—pupils learn persistence.

These values align with our vision at Verbum Dei Academy of producing well-rounded learners.

Parental Support: How Parents Can Encourage Science at Home

Parents play a key role in strengthening children’s love for science. Here are simple ways to help:

1. Encourage Curiosity: Allow your child to ask questions and explore answers together.
2. Provide Resources: Books, science kits, and educational videos can spark interest.
3. Use Everyday Moments: Cooking, gardening, or fixing things at home are great opportunities for science discussions.
4. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Praise your child for trying, experimenting, and observing—even if the outcome isn’t “perfect.”
5. Be a Role Model: Show enthusiasm when learning new things, and your child will mirror that excitement.

From Primary to Secondary: Building Future Scientists

The foundation laid at Verbum Dei Academy prepares children for advanced science at Verbum Dei International College, where subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics are studied in greater depth. By the time they reach secondary school, our pupils already have curiosity, confidence, and a strong base that makes them eager to explore science at higher levels.

Conclusion

Science is not just about facts—it is about discovery, wonder, and exploration. At Verbum Dei Academy, we create a learning environment where pupils experience science with joy and curiosity, building both knowledge and character.

By nurturing a love for science early, we are raising not just future scientists, but lifelong learners who approach the world with curiosity and confidence.

At Verbum Dei Academy, every question is a doorway to discovery, and every child is a budding scientist ready to explore the world.