Programs
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
Philosophy of Teaching
The theorists who inspired our philosophy of teaching young children are Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner on their theories of socio-cultural and constructivism respectively. Our philosophy of teaching in the early years is based on having interactive experiences in the classrooms where children can participate with adults and other children to gain the necessary skills that are needed for them to develop and grow. We believe in providing various resources and materials that would appeal to the children’s senses, which are visual, kinaesthetic, tactile and auditory. Teaching young children should also involve individual attention in order for all children of different cultures and background to gain the competencies that are needed for their development. Activities should be planned and integrated using the different developmental domains that children need to develop by the teacher being the guide. Thus, the teachers are the facilitators in the classrooms who assist the children with their different learning needs. Additionally, teaching is also based on Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences, which are Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”); Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”); Spatial intelligence (“picture smart”); Bodily-Kinaesthetic intelligence (“body smart”); Musical intelligence (“music smart”); Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”); Intrapersonal intelligence (“self-smart”); Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”). Lessons are planned to include all the different intelligences and learning styles of children.
Philosophy of Learning
The theorists who inspired our philosophy of learning for young children are Maria Montessori and John Dewey on their theories on play. Our philosophy of learning is based on having hands-on approaches in the classroom through play-based activities and lessons where teachers can observe and assist when needed, and the students can conduct their own experiments. Children learn best when they use materials and equipment that promote their cognitive and physical developments. Also play activities that involve small groups and large groups encourage children to interact and learn with each other which can promote their social and emotional development. Play also promotes children’s independent learning and their skills in problem solving, critical thinking and creative thinking when they use manipulative, blocks and puzzles. Thus, learning would be promoted through hands-on methods using didactic materials that stimulate the different developmental domains in all children.
Philosophy of Assessment
The theories of Bloom’s Taxonomies inspired our philosophy of assessments in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Our belief is that young children can be assessed using tools that are appropriate in showing their progress in their intellectual, social and emotional, and physical skills. It focuses on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions that children gain when engaged in activities and play independently, and one to one correspondence with their teachers and with their peers.