At the beginning of pre-school, the basics of pre-writing and pre-reading phonetics are taught to begin decoding words and reading them aloud. The goal is to get children to read and understand short sentences by the end of the three-year period, but above all to be passionate about reading. Children have access to a wide range of materials such as books, games and other materials to stimulate their interest.
As for mathematics, children are introduced to pre-calculation, counting, understanding and using numbers. They learn to do simple calculations using addition, subtraction, solve simple problems, describe shapes, spaces and measurements. Thanks to the choice of targeted activities, children learn to love numbers through play.
To help children develop a sense of reality, it is necessary to guide them in making sense of their physical world and community by providing opportunities to explore, observe, and discover people, places, and the environment. They learn about plants, animals, and objects and develop an awareness of their surroundings, learning to recognise changes within them.
Past and present events from their own lives and the lives of those around them are reflected upon. Children explore similarities and differences among various families and communities, understanding that traditions and customs vary according to culture and geographic location.
Communication and Language:
Children develop their communication skills, and from the very beginning they are taught to pay attention when listening. Every day begins with Circle Time, a moment when – as the name suggests – pupils sit in a circle with the teacher, who is also part of the circle because Circle Time represents a moment of equality. Everyone can see each other and freely express their opinions and emotions. Emphasis is placed on listening skills, empathy, and collective critical thinking. Attentive listening helps children improve their concentration span and is essential during learning activities. Children are encouraged to ask questions, talk about personal experiences, express their own views, and listen carefully to those of others.
The children express themselves fully through art: they sing, play, act, dance and create, giving free rein to their imagination. They engage with a variety of materials, colours, fabrics, clay, food and much more, using them constructively to develop their skills while being guided. Children do weekly workshops in cooking, pottery and music. Each of these workshops is conducted in Spanish, providing children with an immersive language experience that further enriches their learning experience.
