Need Analysis

v      The gentle caring attitude and patience of the teachers and assistants 

v      A variety of creative art is done as a 'whole class' activity by the schools, which includes collage using various locally available materials and clay work using the sieved clay found in termite mounds. 

v      Sri Lankan culture is rich in children's action songs and all teachers use this to good effect.

v      Activities for the children are limited to creative art and singing 

v  A noticeable absence of problem solving games or toys which focus on early cognitive development eg. jigsaw puzzles, matching and sorting games 

v  The absence of story books or story telling as a fundamental foundation for literacy 

v      Complete absence of planning or preparation for a varied school day 

v    Absence of any home made early learning resources which develop pre-reading and pre-writing skills 

v     A lack of balance and variety in the activities offered to the children eg. sand and water play, home comer play, construction play etc. 

v   Children are rarely given the freedom to choose from a variety of games and activities in the room 

v   Teachers are unaware of the importance of providing a balanced range of play activities which stimulate the emotional, cognitive and physical development of the child

It was decided that the best way to approach the problem of improving schools in a short period of time was;

1. to conduct training sessions for the teachers in each district and
2. to set up model Early Learning Centres which would provide role models in the use of early learning resources made from locally available materials, and also for good practice as demonstrated by the teachers in those centres.