As Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturer of stationary and related products, Ceylon Pencil Company understands the importance of empowering preschool teachers with up-to-date know-how on early childhood education.

Having formulated a unique teacher training programme that aims to enhance and update the knowledge available to pre and primary schools with fewer resources, the company believes that such initiatives will enable pre-school teachers to engage with the children in many ways than one. An interest in arts and crafts is vital to a child’s healthy emotional and intellectual development. Pre-school children should ideally engage in creative activities that provide sensory stimulation.

“A child at birth has a brain that is eager to learn, with a great number of reserve brain cells. When children receive stimulation, these reserve brain cells can form new connections, leading to potentially better performance,” says Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Sudarshi Seneviratne.

The teacher training programme hosted by Ceylon Pencil Co has been received with great enthusiasm among pre-school teachers - so far, programmes have been held in key locations such as Colombo, Gampaha, Kiribathgoda, Negombo, Wattala, Kandy, Embilipitiya, Balangoda, Ratnapura, Avissawella, M a t a l e , N a w a l a p i t i y a , Kegalle, Ududumbara, Galle, Matara, Jaffna, Batticaloa and Kurunegala. Many more programmes are planned for the future.

An eminent panel of professionals conduct these training sessions which includes multi-sensory activities such as cutting or tearing paper, scribbling, colouring, clay moulding, etc., which are abilities that provides basic motor skill development, while augmenting co-ordination, strength and grip. It also contributes towards greater mental development in children. Engaging in activities such as colouring is important for children to experience the brilliance of colour and creativity, as an outlet for expression.