Learning & Development Steps
At Educated Minds Academy, we strive to nurture and develop leadership skills in every child. We focus on team building, sharing, values, good morals, and integrity in a positive and safe environment. Our utmost objective is to give a head start to your child’s unique qualities by laying a foundation for a lifetime of learning. We have also designed our programs to encompass all aspects and focus on every step that would guide YOUR CHILD to become a SUCCESS in the Future. At Educated Minds Academy, we have devised our learning process to be comprised of 5 primary functions:
1- Concept Development
Young children construct their understanding of concepts as they interact and work with real materials, people, events, and ideas creatively and collaboratively.
We help this process by:
Providing age-appropriate toys which encourage thinking and problem-solving, as well as talking about similarities and differences as they play with toys; Encouraging children to interact with their peers while engaged with school activities; Singing counting songs, reciting fingerplay and playing games; Taking about shapes that can be seen in the environment.
2- Physical Development
The development of physical strength is equally important to a child. Strength and dexterity develop confidence and help sustain high levels of self-esteem.
We help this process by:
Providing opportunities to and encouraging children to play outdoors, use riding toys, swings, and other playground equipment; Encouraging children to run, jump and climb; Promoting collective game playing and peer interaction while outdoors.
3- Language & Communication Skills
No single way or form of teaching is more important than the development of language and communication skills in a child. The ability to articulate and communicate efficiently is directly proportional to the success a child will have in the future. Learning more than one language opens doors to more advanced opportunities in later life.
We help this process by:
Talking to children in class and answering questions; Maintaining the child’s level of eye contact and allowing child to explain what they want to say; Promoting two-way communications; Engaging and encouraging vocal interaction between the children; Re-citing common words and phrases in English and Spanish making sure that children learn a second language; Providing children with an opportunity to explain and discuss the exciting and fun activities.
4- Reading & Painting/Drawing
The importance of learning the letters and alphabet at an early age cannot be underestimated. Learning to paint and draw engages young minds and bolsters their innate predisposition to art and beauty. Both sets of skills will help shape a child’s perception of the world.
We help this process by:
Re-citing alphabet letters and words out loud, asking children to repeat them all together or individually; Learning new words while showing a corresponding picture or object; Showing how to spell; Developing associative thinking; Singing songs with words that children learned earlier; Pointing out print in the environment; Providing crayons, pencils, watercolors an plenty of canvas (paper) to create upon; Allowing children to describe and discuss their painting/drawing in their own words.
5- Social & Emotional Development
A child grows and matures every day, and along with this transformation becomes an integral part of social and emotional development. Sensitivity, kindness, respect for others, generosity, and good manners are some of the most essential components that comprise this process. This is what helps a child to integrate into society and not become loners or targets to being bullied or become a bully.
We help this process by:
Setting standards and boundaries; Teaching good manners to children, such as saying “thank you” and “please”; Teaching children to avoid confrontation and stopping inappropriate behavior; Giving praise to children when its due and when they’ve done something right; Guiding children and helping them learn concepts of sharing and turn taking; Showing children how to treat others with respect. We talk and discuss the ``Golden Rule`` - treat others the way you would like to be treated.