Teaching methods at Tinytots International Daycare & Preschool are based on principles of Highscope curriculum. While emphasizing the development of the whole child, Highscope focuses on strengthening cognitive skills through active, hands-on learning experiences.
We believe that children learn best by pursuing their personal interests and goals. As children pursue their choices and plans, they explore, ask and answer questions, solve problems, and interact with peers and adults. This is the way for them to get “key experiences” or ”Key Development Indicators”—activities that foster developmentally important skills and abilities.
Highscope has identified 58 such Key Development Indicators and our range of activities are carefully planned by trained Early Childhood Educators based on these KDIs.
To promote active-participatory learning, our centers are divided into interest areas organized around specific kinds of play, e.g. separate areas for block play, art activities, house play, small toys, computers, books and writing materials.
In each area materials are organized so children can get them out easily and put them away independently. We advocate using simple, real-life items wherefrom children can draw experience; additional we also use some Montessori materials and games.
Our educators do not directly teach math, reading, writing and other academic skills through “school-like” activities, instead we provide experiences and materials that help children develop the broad language and logical abilities. For example, teachers provide materials that enable children to use beginning skills in counting, comparing numbers, and one-to-one correspondence instead of using ”traditional” sequenced drills or workbooks.
Creative teaching is of significant importance in our methodology, to generate interest among the children. We share our activities regularly with child educators and in social media forums to create awareness and to inspire. Parent’s permission are taken before publishing any picture of the child online. As a policy, we do not tag any child in the pictures; however, parents are free to tag their child if they wish to.
At the center of our curriculum is the Plan-Do-Review sequence. Children typically engage in planning time in small groups and identify activities they would like to try during work time based on the chosen theme, and the teacher helps them to plan the work for the day. A large block of time is allocated for carrying out the activities.
End of the workday, our teachers help children to reflect upon their experiences in a variety of developmentally appropriate ways. Typically a significant part of our daily structure also include outside play or activities.
Assessment of progress for each individual child is done by our trained educators (Pædagog) on the basis of categories of Key Development Indicators. The progress is shared with parents every half-year through individual parent-teacher meetings. Additional structured feedback on activities and general well-being is provided to parents on daily basis.
Here you can read more about our Curriculum Lærplan 2022 Danish