Importance of Nursery Life

Why was it worth coming back to the kindergarten after Christmas?

This year's winter break was different to previous ones. We were uncertain whether we would be able to meet our friends back at school in January, or whether we would stay at home and try learning online. I was very happy to hear that we were to spend time together at school, so I would therefore like to remind parents and friends of Little Gems why it is worthwhile for children to attend kindergarten.

The mission of preschool education is to bring up children to be respectful of nature and other human beings. Children grow and learn in the best conditions enabling them to discover their interests, to experience, to experiment, to familiarise oneself with other cultures and beliefs and respecting diversity.

Language

We all live in a multicultural world so it is important for children to have contact with different languages. At Little Gems, English is the official language of the school, but some also learn Greek and words in the languages of our friends, e.g. Farsi, Swedish, Russian and more.

All classes take place in multicultural groups thanks to which we learn from each other, we get to know the cultures of different countries, we become tolerant and open to one another. We read varied literature, we listen to different types of music – we discover various cultures.

Every human being has huge intellectual and growing potential; therefore, the comprehensive and individual development of every child is an imperative in the preschool. We believe that by creating the stimulating environment and giving freedom and respect to every child, we motivate them to be independent and their talents will flourish over time.

Empathy

Empathy is an ability to understand emotional states of another person as well as to adopt their ways of thinking and their perspective on reality. Through the conversation and observation and being part of the group, we encourage children to appreciate each other and to understand the diversity of emotions.

Education

Maria Montessori claimed, that by getting to know the world "the child is becoming a builder of oneself". Wishing to answer this natural need, every day we create a space where we give children the time they need, always showing respect.

These are necessary for every child so that he or she can develop his or her personal potential in safe surroundings. By offering freedom of choice and independence, we support their growing talents. Through the empathetic attitude, we accompany the children in exploring and discovering their potential and inner powers.

The Montessori philosophy supports each child’s individual pace in their development, following the child’s own interests. Teachers, as guides, encourage and help to expand knowledge in a unique way for every child, educating and giving them time to understand the material and the acquired information.

Children are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge

The teachers provide environments where the children have the freedom and tools to pursue answers to their own questions. Internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.

The preschool Montessori program pays special attention to all curriculum areas, that is, mathematics and language skills, as well as to the cultural variety of not only Europe but also the entire world. Outside walks conducted during the day help the children to get to know the real nature.

Maria Montessori consciously created pedagogics adapted to different styles of learning. Everybody is different, therefore the preschool program is adapted accordingly to the children’s individual needs where the educators are competent Montessori teachers who are trained to help your child to develop their skills of learning.

We teach respect not only to other human beings but also to nature, our equipment and other non-living things. Our classrooms are equipped with high quality materials encouraging and stimulating everyday activities.

Montessori supports social-emotional skills

The children are part of a close and caring community. The multi-age classrooms — typically spanning 3 years —re-creates a family structure. Older children enjoy stature as mentors and role models; younger children feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead from their peers. Teachers model respect, love, kindness, and peaceful conflict resolutions.

Nature and ecology

We do not consider ecology as an industry. It is a style of living, our everyday gestures and practices, i.e. our own garden, our way of spending free time and even the choice of communication. We expose the children to ecological practices, which they can apply in their homes, in the playground and in their preschool. As a part of environmental education, all children at Little Gems are for instance encouraged to mind whether the light should be turned on or off, and whether the water tap is closed properly. By observing the nature, we learn why leaves are falling, frogs are croaking, and ants are living underground. Ecology is for us a daily life following the nature: our own garden in the playground, watching the worms in the grass, or feeding birds in the winter.

Pre-school education is the foundation of further education, it gives children the opportunity for their overall development. Each day is a surprise and gives both children and teachers plenty of joy and satisfaction. This is why I was very happy to return to school in January 🤗.

Maria Michalska joined Little Gems team in Nicosia, this school year. She is a guide trained to work with children 0 to 9 years old. Maria brings plenty of experience to the toddlers in our Sapphire classroom whom she works with, encouraging the development and exposure of all that her article entails. To learn more about the toddler years, contact us on littlegemsmontessori@gmail.com, or give us a call on 22 351319 or 999 50070.