A two-day workshop titled “Wyn’s Winsome Workshop – Bringing Joy Back to Learning” was organized for the pre-primary teachers on the 5th and 6th of November, 2025. The sessions were conducted by Ms. Winnifred Fernandes, an experienced educator known for her innovative and engaging teaching techniques. The objective of the workshop was to revive and upgrade the teaching methods used in the pre-primary section by introducing creative and child-centered strategies that keep children meaningfully engaged in the classroom.
The training began on an inspiring note with a short prayer followed by a cheerful good morning song that set a positive and enthusiastic tone for the sessions ahead. Ms. Winnifred focused on the development of conversational and early reading skills, listening skills, songs, and storytelling. The workshop was designed to be highly interactive, with several hands-on activities that allowed teachers to participate and experience the joy of learning themselves.
Among the many creative ideas shared were the use of paper puppets to enhance storytelling, an animal show-and-tell activity to build vocabulary and confidence, and the use of balloons to bring fun and excitement into various lessons. Ms. Winnifred also introduced the “Magic Wand” concept, highlighting the importance of Circle Time in fostering communication and social development. A lively story session using stick puppets captivated the teachers, followed by a unique activity using a square-line book for listening and colouring, which demonstrated how to improve children’s listening skills while developing coordination and comprehension.
The second day of the workshop focused on developing listening and reading skills through music, rhythm, and playful learning. Teachers were encouraged to explore enjoyable methods to make classroom interactions more meaningful, such as teaching children to say their names in a sing-song manner to build confidence and self-expression. Ms. Winnifred demonstrated creative ways to use a dice for both English and Math activities, showing how simple classroom tools can be transformed into engaging learning aids. An innovative method of taking dictation was also shared, making the process more interactive and enjoyable for young learners. Teachers learned some more methods of using calendar number cutouts and explored how these can be used for teaching counting, sequencing, and date recognition in an exciting and practical manner etc.
Throughout the two days, the sessions remained lively and participatory, with teachers enthusiastically engaging in every activity. Ms. Winnifred emphasized the importance of making learning joyful and purposeful by designing different types of worksheets that challenge children to think, explore, and reason rather than merely copy. She reminded teachers that the goal of pre-primary education is not just academic progress but holistic development—enhancing children’s creativity, confidence, listening, and motor skills.
Impact on Child Development
The strategies and techniques shared during the workshop play a vital role in nurturing every aspect of a child’s growth. By integrating play, music, storytelling, and hands-on learning into classroom activities, children develop stronger cognitive, emotional, social, and motor skills.
• Cognitive Development: Interactive games and creative worksheets stimulate curiosity and problem-solving abilities, laying the foundation for logical thinking and early literacy and numeracy skills.
• Language and Communication: Storytelling, puppet play, and conversational activities improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and expression, helping children communicate more confidently and effectively.
• Social and Emotional Growth: Activities like Circle Time and group songs encourage cooperation, empathy, and self-confidence, fostering positive peer relationships and emotional well-being.
• Motor Skills and Coordination: Hands-on tasks such as colouring, cutting, and manipulating small objects strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Creative Thinking: Encouraging imagination through stories, role play, and artistic expression nurtures creativity and innovation from a young age.
By adopting these joyful and purposeful methods, teachers can create a nurturing environment where children learn through exploration, play, and imagination—helping them grow into confident, curious, and happy learners.
By the end of the workshop, teachers felt enriched and inspired to implement the new techniques in their classrooms. The training successfully reignited the joy of teaching and reinforced the belief that a happy teacher creates a happy classroom. Ms. Winnifred’s workshop truly brought back the essence of joyful learning, reminding everyone that education is most effective when it is filled with enthusiasm, imagination, and heart.