Some over-arching principles of the Risekids curriculum:
- The focus is always on language development and not on literacy.
- The focus is always on math concepts and not on rote counting or mere recognition of numbers.
- The focus is always on helping children to make meaningful connections between what they experience in the world around them and what they learn in school, not on gathering facts.
- The focus is always on making children independent and confident, socially competent and sensitive to the world around them. We achieve this through doing and not merely telling.
It offers opportunities for every child to develop in the following core areas:
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Numeracy and Mathematical concepts
- Understanding our World
- Health and Safety
- Citizenship
- Arts and Aesthetics
- Gaining Autonomy
- Social Empowerment
- Play
Methodology
Understand
The concepts are introduced through carefully chosen themes, all pertaining to a child’s realm of experiences in their little world. This enables them to make ‘connections’ between what they learn and the real world. New connections help to transform understanding.
The understanding of key concepts supports the concurrent development of knowledge, skills and understanding.
Do
The ’learning by doing’ approach is supported by a range of opportunities where children can use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; and work with ‘real’ materials.
Think
The learning by doing methodology enhances their ability to think critically and ask questions. When young children enjoy learning and have opportunities to play with ideas in different situations and with a variety of resources this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Feel
Our collaborative learning opportunities encourage young learners to show empathy, compassion and respect for the needs and feelings of others. The young learners begin to understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and they begin to appreciate the values and traditions of other individuals and communities.
Our programme promotes and fosters a set of attitudes that include tolerance, respect, enthusiasm, curiosity, co – operation, confidence, commitment and appreciation.
