Well-organized seats and boring colors are no longer welcome in the nursery or the kindergarten. Recent studies have shown that active learning achieves more compelling results and has greater influence on children in their preschool years in comparison to traditional, outdated educational methods that mainly depend on abstract, passive instruction. Studying their options, parents need to choose a nursery that adopts active learning to get children involved in a real learning environment.
Active learning is an educational approach that depends on directly engaging the child in the educational process and devoting all the educational tools to teach the lesson based on a collaborating relationship between the child and the teacher.
This approach promotes many strategies that allow the child to move around the classroom in an active manner. It also adds an atmosphere of joy and helps children explore themselves and their surroundings, connecting them to their real needs and interests. The approach also creates a positive interactive relationship between children and their peers through improving their conversation and research skills. Active learning establishes a learning dialogue between the teacher and the student as it is based on asking the child essential questions and allowing them to ask back to ensure their understanding.
In Little Academy Nursery, we adopt active learning strategies by providing the children with an extensive library that fulfill their eagerness to learn more. We also believe in the power of getting the children on their feet, so we let them experiment with handicrafts and recycling. Also, we allow them into the kitchen to prepare a simple dish with fruits, vegetables and whole wheat bread all by themselves.
Little Academy understands that children explore their world best through play. In the play yard of the nursery, we ensure the safety of the games and allow children to play in the sandbox to encourage their exploration and freedom of experience and foster their relationships with each other. In addition, the nursery always organizes events and science classes with experiments to enhance the children’s intelligence and help them grow a passion for science. To hone their problem-solving skills, we let them play some assembly games that help them see through the problem and tackle its possible solutions.
Teachers at Little Academy Nursery also place a high importance on teaching children problem-solving skills as children are challenged with certain situations to evaluate their analysis and synthesis skills and direct them to find creative solutions. This should in turn enhance their logical thinking skills.
Stories, songs, drama performances and educational games are all considered essential educational methods that create an environment of joy and excitement and help stimulate the children’s minds during their learning.