“Teachers are the life blood of the success of any school”- Sir Ken Robinson
To know Crayons Count is to know that we are dedicated to the early childhood education cause in every facet. Our primary objectives are to provide recommended learning resources to early childhood institutions across Jamaica and increase awareness of the importance of early childhood education and good early childhood practices. We are for little ones; the future. One major element of providing the very best for the children of Jamaica; is ensuring that their teachers are well trained and prepared for the cause.
Teaching the age groups 3-6 years old is quite different from other age groups. Children aged 3-6 years old need to be encouraged to participate in group activities, be engaged in such a way that is fun and inspiring, given opportunities to test out new things, sights and sounds and be allowed to make their own choices; and even their own mistakes. Through the Crayons Count Teacher Training Workshop, we are helping teachers to understand key early childhood principles and best practices as it relates to how children learn and develop at this age. Therefore the teachers are better equipped to stimulate the children in and out of the classroom. Additionally,we are providing training for teachers on how to use the learning tools to meet curriculum objectives. That is where the Crayons Count Teacher Training Tours come into ‘play’. The Crayons Count Teacher Training School tour rolled out Tuesday, September, 17 at St. Boniface ECDC and Thursday, September, 19 at Joy Town Learning Academy and has been training teachers from over 300 basic schools in the Kingston and St. Andrew area.
See our Taking It Island Wide: Crayons Count Teacher Training School Tour blog post.
The response has been overwhelming from the teachers who all love and appreciate the tours. Approximately 411 schools have benefited from the tours so far. That’s almost 395 teachers from Kingston and St. Andrew alone. Can you say ‘wow’? The lorry has been the site for each training session. The teachers have been bursting with energy and ideas after every session. Look below to see all the schools trained to date.
Every week brought new ideas, colourful moments and questions galore. Look at our Facebook album to get a peek into the sessions. Crayons Count Teacher Training School Tour album here.
But don’t take our word for it; look at the many, many comments left on our evaluation sheets.
What did you learn from the session?
“I learnt that ‘toys’ are tools for learning. I also learnt how the tools provided in the Crayons Count kit can be used to teach lessons to early childhood students. I learnt that these tools foster integration of lessons and can cover may topics.”
“I learned that as an Early Childhood Teacher I can be more creative. I can interact with the children more. I learned more creative ways to use the materials given to us. I learned how to get the children enjoy using the activities and use them as learning tools.”
“New and different ways to make learning more fun for the children and also enhance learning by having them do more hands on activities”
Please share your feedback on your experience during the session (Any good,happy, uplifting or positive experience)
“The information presented was well prepared and presented in ways that was easily understood. The participation among teachers and children was good. I think we could spend more time sharing.”
“The feedback was uplifting, informative and educational. I shared the information learned with my colleagues so that the children at our school can use the materials given to them in a creative and meaningful way.the session uplifting and interesting it was amazing to see the way in which the children were able to manipulate the objects to achieve their goal”
“Yes! It was very informative, fun and interesting. It gave me a positive feeling toward educating the younger generation and I think I couldn’t have chosen a better career path”
Please share your feedback on your experience during the session (Any unclear, sad, or disappointing experience)
“Everything was brought across by the facilitator clearly”
“NONE”
“There was nothing disappointing with the session”
Any recommendations, comments or suggestions?
“I thought this experience was very rewarding. I firmly believe that every teacher should get the opportunity to sit in sessions like this one. “
“Glad to be a part of the experience and it’s great when corporate Jamaica can step in an play a part in educating our nation’s children. Big ups to the facilitator as she was fun and jovial and and imparted valuable information to us.”
“We need to have more training like these it help to motivate us”
With comments like these, how can we go wrong? We have to thank all the schools who sent teachers to be trained and the schools who hosted the learning lorry for the day. Teachers are on fire for learning, for teaching and for students. As the weeks roll on, we expect to teach more integrated lessons that allow children to develop communication through expression, critical thinking and high level learning. The Crayons Count Teacher Training tours have been the perfect opportunity to diversify teaching methods and activities and teach all main concepts regardless of themes. Let’s give a great big thumb up for ALL the individuals involved with this initiative. Crayons Count is not done yet as we are heading to other parishes island wide.
Thanks again to the National Baking Company for being a champion in the early childhood cause and for sponsoring these tours.
Donate to Crayons Count and help us give the youngest generation the solid foundation they need.
Delrose Basic | Stratton ECDC | Happy Venture Basic | Mulvina White Basic |
Kings Basic | Stella Maris Prep | Mary Bond Basic | Port Royal Primary & Infant School |
Elletson Road Basic | Quest Prep | Destowe Bennett Basic | Joy Town Learning Academy |
Operation Friendship Basic | Heavendale Basic | Albert Street Basic | Depham Town Basic |
Full Life Basic | Galilee Basic | Regent Street SDA | St. Alban’s Basic |
St Barnabas Basic | Bowerbank Basic | Fellowship Learning Centre | Adevnt Deliverance ECDC |
Bethel United Basic | Loving Tender Care Nursery | Holy Family Infant | Grace Hibbert Basic |
New Perpetual EEC | Little Darlings ECDC | Seaview ECDC | Perinth Basic |
Paradise Street Basic | B. Joseph Basic School | Mt. Olive Basic | National Baptist Basic |
Ahma Selassie Basic | Life Tabernacle | Minna Carr Basic | St Joesph Infant School |
Glenford Phipps Basic | Cecile Duff | Gem’s of Tomorrow Pre School | Holy Trinity Basic |
Elletson Primary & Infant | Ananda Marga Basic | Kids-In-Paradise Learnning Centre | Work & Play 21 |
Feed My Sheep Day Care & Pre-School | Port Royal Basic-Old Traing | Weise Road Basic School | Salvation Army Rae Town |
Beaming Brite Basic | G& M Preparatory School | Vaz Prep School | Vouch Sylvia Foote Basic |
Charles Chinloy Basic | St. Michael’s Infant | Adastra Garden Basic | The Church of Jesus Christ Basic |
Tweety Tots Childcare Centre | St. Tekle Haimanot Basic | Dor’s Quick Learn Basic | Holy Childhood Prep |
Elim ECDevelopment Centre | Grace Educational Centre | St Boniface ECDC | Afican Martyrs of Uganda |
The Queen’s Prep | St. Mark’s Methodist Basic | God’s Way Basic | All Saints Infant School |
Sunrays Educational Centre | Bethel Basic | Josephine Glasspole Basic | Central Academy |
Lalyce Gray ECI | Bridge View Basic | Campden ECDC | St. Stephens United Basic |
Cherub’s Nursery Educational Centre | New Hope Prep | Faithville Prep & Kinder | St Simon Basic |
Mamby Park Baptist | Franklyn Town | Neptune ECDC | Alllman Town Infant |
St. Richard’s EC | First Missionary | Rema Basic | Burke’s Basic |
Immacualte Conception Prep | Glenmore Basic | Church of God of Prophecy | Jones Town Basic |
Rosedale Basic | Pentab | His Majesty Basic School | NHT After Care Facility |
The Salvation Army Havendale | Wilbert Stewart | Cecil Boswell Facey Basic | West Indies Basic |
Shortwood United Church ECDC | Carnival ECDC | Emmanuel ECDC | Creative Minds |
Kidz World ECC | Wolmers Prep | Central Branch Infant School | Florence Hill Basic |
Sunrise ECDC | Halibethian Early Childhood | Balke’s Basic | Lawrence Tavern S.D.A Basic Sch |
Sandy Park Basic | Lincoln Kirk Basic | Jackson’s Basic | Ebenezer ECI |
Sunrays ECI | Irish Town Basic | Suthermere prep | Auburn B/S |
Little Angels ECDC | Mt. Lebanon Basic | Avondale Prep | Penwood Church |
Collins Close Basic | Early Learning Centre | Rose Gordon Kinder | Bethel bibleway |
The Icelin Baker Memorial ECDC | Middleton B/s | Kencot Basic | Dunrobin ECI |
The Learning Cottage | Little Blessing Nursery | Total Care | Smurfs ECDC |
Maisie Green Learning Centre | Dublin Castle | Kingsway kindergarten & Prep | Butterfly Cradle ECI |
Upper Ward Close Basic | St. Mark’s Anglican B/S | Jahmona Basic | Sophias EL Day Care |
Reg Keizs Memorial Basic | Westphalia B/S | Richmond Park Nazarene Basic | Aunt May’s Nursery |
Rosedale Basic | Guava Ridge B/s | Crescent Rd. CoG | Seaview Garden ECC |
Excelsior pre-Primary | Hall’s Delight | Bethany ECDC | Gordon’s Memorial Prep |
Christ Church | Content Gap B/S | Glady’s Sheriff Basic | Good Grace Kinder Prep |
Lower Hall’s Delight | Dejoy nursery & Presch | Ambrook Lane Basic | Whittick’s Day Care |
Arnold Road Methodist | Liberty Academy at the Priory | Bethel ECC | Lighthouse Basic |
Future Leaders Care | McLeod Basic School | John Mills Infant | Laura’s B/S |
Curlin Johnson Basic | Kings gate Prep | Woodford ECC | Miracle Kindergarten |
Christ the King Basic | St. Michael Basic | Step by Step pre-sch | Mona Heights Chapel |
Mona Common Basic | Aunt Zoe Day Care | Chevannes basic sch | Mona Prep |
Kintyre basic school | Grace Temple | Kidz Joy DC& Learning Centre | Wonder World Child Care Centre |
St. Theresa Prep | Mavisville Prep | Nannyville Community Centre | Laurels basic |
Solomon Levy Basic | Osberga White Memorial | Roosevelt Avenue SDA | Waltham Basic |
Richmond Park Prep | Vineyard Town Methodist | Porters Centre for Knowledge | Best Care Foundation |
Jamaica Evangelistic Centre Basic | Promise Learning | Caring Basic School | Mt. Salus Basic |
Hagley Park Prep | Supreme Basic | Pentecostal Basic School | Content Basic |
Chisholm Basic | SOS Basic | Bethel Born Again Basic | Kiddy Caring Basic |
Excel Pre and Preparatory | Cleardale ECDC | All Saints Basic | Alvernia Prep School |
Cooreville Gardens Basic | Hopeview Basic | Faith Temple Pentecostal Basic | Carl Thompson Basic |
Progressive Basic School | Baby Grand ECI | Rushworth Basic | Czars ECLC |
Ferry Basic School | Balmagie Methodist B/S | Samuels Basic | Tower Hill Missionary |
St. John the Baptist | Readiness ECC | End Time Basic | Marie Atkins |
Merry Melodies ECI | St. Steven’s B/S | Care Bear ECDC | St. Mary Basic |
Morris Knibb Prep | Peniel Tab. Basic | CAB/RJR Basic | St. John Church of Christ |
Elite Basic | Maranatha B/S | Caribbean Christian Centre | Carmel ECDC |
MeadowBrook Prep | Majesty Gardens B/S | Apex Kindergarten | St. Margarets Day Care |
Peniel Basic | Progressive Basic School | Judah ECI | Oakley’s Basic School |
Lloyd’s ECI | Ferry Basic School | Aniel ECC | Dallas Basic School |
Balcombe Drive SDA B/S | Junior World Learng Centre | United Way B/S | Faith Tabernacle B/S |
St. Paul’s EC | Webster Memorial B/S | St Peter Claver Basic | St. Francis B/S |
Holiness Basic School | Pembroke Hall | Stony Hill Infant Dept | Tots & toddles Day & After Sch |
Rising Sun Basic | Riverton Meadows ECC | Little Angels ECDC | Wesleyan Holiness Basic |
Tarrant Community Basic | Calabar Infant | Collins Close Basic | Everest Basic |
Kiddies Paradise | Top Road Basic | The Icelin Baker Memorial ECDC | Stony Hill Infant Department |
Shalom Pre-School | Victory Molynes | The Learning Cottage | Golden Valley A/A & Infant |
Constitution Hill Basic | Sandhurst EC | Gospel Light Basic | New Gardens primary & Infant |
Hope Valley Experimental | Shady Grove Basic | Obistan Prep | Golden Spring Basic |
Wesley Basic | St. Martin-deporres | Deliverance Centre Basic | Auntie Terry’s Day Care |
Hermitage Basic | Montessori Childrens World | New Dawn LC | Stony Hill Learning Centre |
Escarpment Road Basic | New Vision Prep | Seaview Gardens Basic | Mt. Prospect Basic |
Everton Park Basic | Life Tabernacle ECC | Herrick Basic | Brandon Hill Basic School |
Tower Hill Basic | St. Elizabeth B/S | Callaloo Mew | Mt James Basic |
Salisbury Plain Basic | Little Angel Learning Centre | Faith United Basic | Brooks level Basic |
Church of Jesus Christ Basic | King Weston Basic | Baileys B/S- | Claypole ECI |
Greater Bethel basic | Mt Carmel | Evelyn Peterkin Basic | Peat Hill Dist. Basic |
Mahoney Methodist Basic | Mennonite Temple Hall Basic | McLaughLin Basic | Unity Primary & Infant Sch |
Cavaliers SDA Basic School | Lawrence Tavern S.D.A Basic Sch | Mt. Ogle Basic |
Bolton’s Basic | Bridgeport Infant | Auntie June Day Care | Child Plus Learning Centre |
Harvest Temple Basic | Kiddies Dream | Christie Day Care | Central Road Basic |
Sabina Basic | St Henry’s Basic | Faith ECC | Westchester Belony Basic |
Our Child Pre-School | The Church of the Holy Spirit | Velita Dennis Basic | Waterford SDA Basic |
Braeton Basic | Elim ECDC | Hope Temple Basic | Waterford Missionary Basic |
Silverstone Basic | Truth Tabernacle ECE | Faith Full Day Care | The Centre for Young Children |
New Life Basic | Kiddies World | Little Charmers Pre-School | Dean’s Basic School |
Hellshire Park Basic | Cedar Grove Basic | Gregory Park Basic | Gwen Neil Basic |
Edgewater Basic | Kidz Palace ECC | Watson Grove Basic | Garveymeade Nursery |
St. Gala’s Basic | Smart Learners Pre-School & Nursery | Kiddies World | Power of Faith Basic |
Marlin Avenue Basic | Aintree Basic | National Basic | Solid Foundation |
Reliance Basic | Newland SDA early Childhood Center | Glowell Preparatory | Elite Early Centre |
Newlands Basic | Tender Touch Kiddies | Dela Vega City Basic | Waterford Development Faith Basic |
Bridgeport Basic | Lakes Pen Basic | Gemeva’s Basic | Windsor Heights Basic |
Christian Gardens Basic | Ascot Basic School | Nightingale Grove Basic | Hamilton Gardens Basic |
New Testament Basic | Watson Grove Basic | St. Dorothy’s Basic | High House Basic |
Waterford Infant | Faith Assembly Basic | Homestead Basic | God’s Little Angel |
Kiddies World | Spring Village Basic | Holy Ghost Power | Villa Park ECC |
Bethel Baptist Children Centre | Hartlands Basic | Bushy Park S.D. A. Basic | Bushy Park Basic |