Early Years
The Reggio Emilia Approach has at its core a strong image of the child with their own rights, capable to direct their own learning, curious to discover their environment and to learn with a natural rhythm in a community of learners where they are respected, valued and encouraged to learn. Teachers are facilitators and researchers in the process.
Socio Emotional Education
Our Early Years Programme is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach where children are considered strong, capable and full of curiosity. They learn through social interactions and collaboration. They explore and understand their environment with joy and purpose. Teachers are facilitators of learning and the environment becomes the third teacher. Parents are also partners in their children’s learning. As they work and discover together, students learn that ideas have value, that relationships are important and learning becomes richer when they contribute to it. Students engage in storytelling and dramatic play during circle time where they develop an awareness of their own and each others needs and interests. The day flows organically creating an environment where the socio emotional development of the students contributes to their cognitive growth from the moment they join our school.
Learning through Projects
Students learn through active discovery and collaboration with their peers and teachers. Teachers prepare the environment with care setting up provocations for learning by creating a functional connection with the materials. Projects stem from students’ curiosity coupled with teachers’ careful observations this way guaranteeing joyful learning. The materials chosen are varied, they are pleasing in color and texture and invite students to explore. One of the highlights in our school are celebration of learning exhibitions where the young ones become protagonists of the evening sharing their learning with their families and friends. Materials for teaching specific literacy and mathematical skills are used during the day. Music and art are infused throughout the day developing the students’ appreciation and understanding of the arts in life.
Learning about the planet - Caring for the home of humanity
Learning about the planet with our youngest students starts with developing an awareness of the natural world and the beauty in nature. Sunlight provides a readymade tool to learn about shapes, shadows, reflection, angles and light beams. Our students take walks, spend time outdoors and learn about topics of plants, animals, and natural phenomena. Outdoor spaces where the students play and explore together benefit the development of their fine and gross motor skills. By combining learning about nature with hands on exploration in an intentional way our students develop ethical values that are beneficial to their present and future growth. They become cognizant of the importance of harmony and balance in our life and that of the planet.
