The first day of school this year was exciting for more reasons than one. Aside from the children getting to see all their friends and teachers again after many had taken a break to go overseas on holidays or to spend time with family, we were starting the year with a new, refreshed brand – Little Olive Tree (LOT). As our 11 Presbyterian Preschools were rebranded as Little Olive Tree Preschools with effect from 1 January 2024, we now have a total of 16 LOT Preschools islandwide!
Children were seen scurrying around in their new, crisp uniforms of olive green and cream, with some carrying their new LOT bags! To kick off the new school year, we gifted an LOT school bag to each of our children as part of the 'My Little Bag of Dreams' initiative. We hope that their Little Bags can be a stepping stone to their Big Goals of becoming independent and responsible individuals.
Children from Bethany, Fajar, Jurong West, Yishun and Pasir Ris 21 in their new uniforms and their Little Bags of Dreams
The LOT bags were carefully selected so that children can manage their bags without assistance, which boosts their self-esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Through exploring the significance of a school bag, it promotes a sense of ownership of their belongings as well.
Being accountable for their own things, learning to pack the essentials and to keep things tidy instils a sense of responsibility that extends beyond just the backpack to other areas of their lives.
Children from Yishun, Pasir Ris 21 and Jurong West learning to pack their bags for school independently at home and in school. They learn to prioritise essentials and make responsible choices about what to carry. This sense of responsibility extends beyond the backpack to other areas of their lives. For some children battling separation anxiety, their bags may be a source of comfort and security when they first step into an environment of unfamiliarity.
The teachers have been facilitating this fresh start and opportunity for the children to re-invent themselves by helping them to explore the contents in their school bags and understand the importance of taking care of their personal belongings. We have also encouraged parents to partner us in cultivating a new culture at home, where children collaborate with parents to discuss what goes in their bag and children get to pack and unpack their own bags.
Some parents went all the way when they were encouraged to personalise their kids' bags - check out these customised keychains from Pasir Ris 51! Kids at Jurong West also took time to design their own bag tags,
All in all, we want children to express their individuality and thoughts, for us to celebrate their small wins and to continue engaging parents as our partners. The next time you see a little child carrying their school bag, remember that it's more than just a bag. It's a representation of their journey, their hopes, and their dreams. It's a backpack full of dreams and possibilities.
The next time you see a little child carrying their school bag, remember that it's more than just a bag. It's a representation of their journey, their hopes, and their dreams. It's a backpack full of dreams and possibilities.
As we embark on this new journey as LOT, we are blessed to know that our children, parents, teachers, staff, partners are walking alongside us as we look forward to our continuous growth and endless possibilities that lie ahead.
To start off the year, we would really love to hear stories of how our children have been growing and flourishing in school. Do share these moments with us in the Little Olive Tree Social Media Contest! Refer to the image below for more information on how to join and watch out for updates on our new pages: @littleolivetreesg on Instagram & Little Olive Tree Singapore on Facebook.
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