Last Friday, EY2 students participated in arts activities under the theme ‘Ocean Treasure’. They created fish dioramas by following a series of steps. First, the students folded origami paper to make paper fish. Once the fish were made, they decorated them by drawing eyes and scales. Next, they drew and cut out the outline of the waves to add to their dioramas. Finally, the students rolled paper to create seaweed, completing their ocean-themed artwork.
These activities not only stimulate students’ creativity in art and fine motor skills, but also help them follow simple procedures. By following procedures, students improve their ability to understand and execute instructions. This process fosters independence and strengthens cognitive skills as they experience firsthand how their actions lead to specific outcomes. The activity encourages students to become more aware of their learning process, enhancing their ability to manage focus and effort in order to achieve the desired results.
After completing their activities, the teacher encourages students to reflect on whether they liked their work, helping them develop an appreciation for both their own and others’ creations. Through this reflection, students identified the challenges they faced during the activity. The teacher used this as an opportunity to guide them in recognising challenges as a part of the learning process and encouraged them to approach future tasks with greater enthusiasm and perseverance. Reflection plays a key role in helping students make meaning of their experiences, fostering growth and resilience in the face of challenges.
