A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children's self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning.
—Carol B. Hillman, U.S. early childhood educator
We couldn't agree more.
Our methodology has been designed with the child's emotional, intellectual and physical development in mind. We believe that the overall well-being of the children under our care is our first priority…and the essence of any method or policy we create. We wish to engage both child and family in the process of adapting to the changes that schooling involves.
We offer the right combination of individual and group play, social interactions, creative activity and structured learning. So your child develops essential physical, mental and emotional skills. And, most importantly, really enjoys this first stage in the exciting process of 'growing up'.
The core framework
Our core framework is based on the "student-domain centered learning" concept—which derives its way of application from Montessori pedagogy. This methodology has 5 key areas of focus:
- Exercises of Practical life (EPL)
- Learning through activities that are part of day-to-day life, using natural real-life objects.
- Sensorial Stimuli
- Culture of Discovery—learning through "experience".
- Every child has an inner need to actively gather sensorial impressions. We facilitate and enhance the experience through thoughtful choice of scientifically designed playthings and a prepared environment.
- Language
- Phonetics—learning phonetically helps the child to identify the sound and spell correctly
- Focus on enhancing the speaking ability, enrichment of vocabulary, refinement of pronunciation, and writing skills.
- Arithmetic
- Fundamentals with numbers and quantity counting. Association of symbols to quantity, traditional names, introduction to decimal system and basic arithmetic operations application.
- Social
- Including attitude towards peers, etiquette, discipline, singing, story telling, general knowledge, and natural science.
How it is applied
Nurture's unique methodology is intended to:
- Provide freedom to choose and explore options, so that children's confidence in their ability to choose for themselves grows.
- Create a well-prepared environment to stimulate the interest of the children to explore using scientifically-designed playing material.
- Leverage on the 15+ years of Montessori and Pre-school experience our mentors possess to facilitate, and guide the children in taking the proper direction rather than "teaching" them.
The key outcome
- Our methodology will enable children to develop:
- The ability to choose for themselves.
- Independence and confidence in expression, verbal and otherwise
- Independence in social behavior.
- Key cognitive abilities and outlook that will make them be ready to attend school anywhere in the world and face the demands of the system.
