Our learning methods
All our learning methods aim to "learning without teaching". We do not take children as students or pupils, we take them as children. We make every effort to provide for them kind, friendly, exciting and secure environment.
The basic learning method in our preschool is communication. All communication with children is conducted in English. That way children naturally develop their English communication abilities and skills. For newly admitted children we have developed a transition programme which includes phased engaging in English language. We are using bilingual method of education - a child hears the same terms in Czech and in English.
Play is the most natural and efficient way of teaching young children. Children are taught in a relaxed, play-oriented programme. Play motivates them and enables their natural learning ability.
Kids Garden is a music oriented English preschool. Music and rhythm positively influence children's language learning skills and overall development of the child. Children sing, play music instruments, and dance.
Visual aids increase significantly young children's capacity to learn about the world around us and is also important for learning another language. We strive to use various visual aids as often as possible - objects, toys, pictures, video.
Curriculum
Our programme is built on the British curriculum - Foundation stage 3-5 and the Czech programme for preschool education. It is divided into six areas with specific goals:
a) Personal, social and emotional development of children:
- are interested and motivated to learn
- are interested in attempting new activities
- maintain attention
- develop awareness of their own needs, views and feelings, and are sensitive to needs, views and feelings of others
- form good relationships with adults
- work as part of a group or a class
- understand what is right and what is wrong, and why
- dress and undress independently and manage their own personal hygiene
- independently select and engage in activities
b) Communication and language development of children:
- enjoy listening and talking
- explore and experiment with sounds and words
- listen with enjoyment and respond to stories, songs and poems, and make up their own stories, songs and rhymes
- communicate with others
- extend their vocabulary, explore the meanings and sounds of new words
- know the letters of the alphabet
c) Mathematical development of children:
- recognize numerals 1 to 9
- count reliably up to 10 objects
- can compare according to quantity, size or weight
- begin to add and subtract
- can describe shapes and sizes
- can describe positions
- use mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems
d) Knowledge and understanding of the world:
- investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate
- recognise and identify objects, animals, and events
- ask questions about why things happen and how things work
- build, connect, and shape objects and materials using various tools and technologies
- is aware of past and present events in their own lives and families
e) Physical development of children:
- move with confidence and in safety
- move with control and coordination
- show awareness of space, of themselves, and of others
- recognize the importance of keeping healthy
- use a wide range of equipment
- use various tools safely
f) Creative development of children
- recognize colour, texture, shapes
- recognize and explore how sounds can be changed, sing simple songs from memory, match movements to music
- can play straightforward with rhythmical and other musical instruments
- use their imagination and ideas in art and design activities, music, dance, and role playing