Pre-Primary - (Kindergarten)

PLAYFUL LEARNING

Play is at the heart of how young children learn at Aurinko. Through play, children demonstrate what they are learning, what they are interested in, and what they are concerned about. They test out and practice actions to which they’ve been exposed. When we observe children at play, we begin to learn more about what they understand and can identify the skills that need more practice. This informs our efforts to guide them to the next level. Children engage in all forms of play – dramatic, constructive, creative, physical, and cooperative play.

ADULT INTERACTIONS

At Aurinko, we understand that adults, children’s peers, older children, and siblings are important and integral in the playful learning process. And hence the Aurinko ecosystem focuses on continuous interaction of all age groups throughout the day in different contexts.

While older children provide models to learn from the adults arrange environments to support the learning process. Through materials and interaction, adults can help children identify associations with, and make connections to, previously learned skills. We use Guided Play wherein the adult builds on children’s interests and extend what they are doing in the moment to intentionally achieve additional learning goals. This authentic approach helps to make the learning “stick” because it is more meaningful and relevant to the child.

Instead of “teaching” self-regulation, for example, by instructing children to stand quietly and not move, we use long lasting methods of building such behaviour in daily play for eg when pretending they are soldiers guarding a castle. Such methods allow children to internalize the purpose Playful learning allows children to learn effectively as they perceive it as fun and rewarding. It often pushes children to engage in activities fully and wholeheartedly. .

Our Teachers are constantly trying to expand the learning of children by intentionally planned and developmentally appropriate curriculum. These interventions are designed to be responsive not only to the children’s interests, but include learning objectives based on children’s skill levels and abilities. Structured activities involve daily schedules with predictable yet flexible routines. We see that the children thrive in the Aurinko environment as stress is reduced through children’s understanding of expectations and what comes next. The schedule of learning activities within the curriculum includes all areas of development: physical, cognitive, social and emotional, language and literacy, and 21st century skills.

PEER INTERACTIONS

Peer interactions are another important context for learning in the Aurinko environment. When engaged in peer play, children observe others and imitate or build on what they observe. They gain social and emotional skills when they make efforts to create games and coordinate activities with each other. For example, children learn self-regulation when they develop and play rule-based games and they learn perspective when they negotiate the themes within dramatic play activities with others.

LEARNING EVERYWHERE

Playful learning occurs beyond the school or child-care setting. It occurs everywhere. Aurinko parents truly believe and live the school’s Philosophy and hence the homes are an extension of the Aurinko program . So our children are learning with parents while running errands or while they play at the park or at home in the kitchen!

This informal learning allows children to make connections with the larger world. Children are inspired to learn because of the desire to know how to do something or engage with others. The reward is relevant and enjoyable since it is based on the children’s real time experiences.

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

At Aurinko, we have always believed that when families, schools, and communities work together, children do better academically, behaviourally and socially. Hence there are ample opportunities created for Parents to visit school, spend quality time with each other and with the entire ecosystem. Parents volunteer for various programs and connect outside of school for play dates etc. Parents are also an integral part of the school’s functioning.