Our classroom is a vibrant community of about 30 children. The age and sex mix comprises a three year age range of both boys and girls. The older children teach the younger, thereby further increasing their knowledge and confidence. They also acquire a sense of responsibility through being leaders in the class which further enhances their self image. Meanwhile younger children are inspired to more advanced work through observing the older ones. With such a variety of levels in the classroom each child can work at his/her own pace. The program therefore facilitates the development of a caring community within which co-operative, rather than competitive learning can flourish.
The pre-school room is attractive with many carefully designed materials and activities. The children are free to engage in those activities which interest them. They can work by themselves, with a friend, or with a group of friends. They can spend as much time as needed on any activity. They have opportunities to do things they see parents do at home. They can prepare food. They can sweet, scrub and clean. They can hammer, nail and saw. They can learn to tie shoes and to polish. They can listen to music, sing, dance and play instruments. They can paint, draw, work with clay, learn to sew, make masks or puppets. They can learn to count or to make words. They can look at books about all the wonderful things in the world about them. They can examine globes of the world and make flags from different countries. They can examine pictures of different parts of the world and different cultures. And outside they can run, jump, climb, play games and have fun with their friends.
