The Pre School Years and the Importance of Social Emotional Learning

June 12, 2017/in Enrichment, Teaching and Learning /by ruben

When it comes to learning and culture, your child’s brain is a blank slate. Children learn through socialization from other adults and children in their immediate environment and, through repeated exposure to the people of that culture, they begin to understand those norms and beliefs. In a foreign country, your child learns cultural norms from both you, the parents, and their experiences in that country. Children and young students living abroad have the benefit of encountering different cultures, and therefore have a richer view of the world. Parents who want their children to experience a wider view of culture may consider a more international upbringing for their children.

The Context of Socialization

The Age of Pretending

Your child’s personality is shaped through the beliefs and attitudes they experience during socialization throughout their development.

As parents, you can steer your child’s development in one direction or another. For example, your child may be naturally musical. If you provide them with musical training, you may find that they have unique musical abilities that they would never have otherwise discovered.

During preschool, children learn through pretending games. They assume different roles and act out scenarios with their peers, assuming multiple attitudes and perspectives. Even alone, children may act out different roles by themselves. Through pretending, children achieve a deeper understanding of what they’ve learned watching adults and peers.

Social Emotional Learning Counts

All parents want what is best for their child and structured play experiences provide ample developmental benefits. Through structured play, children learn to explore their personalities, understand their culture, and form friendships.

Some children are introverted and less likely than peers to seek out social experiences. For timid children, exposure to regular playtime with peers is particularly important. Introverted children benefit from a nurturing environment with low-key pretending games. Pretend kitchen sets or puppets are great tools for low-key playtime, or even a simple sandbox.

It’s so wonderful as parents to see your young children immerse themselves in play with others and come home excited about the friends they’ve made and the things they’ve learned. Children’s brains develop at an incredibly fast rate, and as a parent, you can witness your child make new discoveries almost daily. Our children remind us of how we first developed our understanding and belief system about ourselves and the world. It’s important to take the time to provide children with diverse experiences so they can have full advantage of this crucial time of education and discovery.

For more details on the importance of social emotional learning in a safe and structured, setting, please contact us today. Your child’s positive development is our primary focus.

The Benefits of Inquiry-Based Education

June 5, 2017/in Teaching and Learning /by ruben

As your preschooler is exposed to learning, it’s likely that his or her inquisitive nature will reveal itself. At Tessa International School in Hoboken New Jersey, we encourage our students to take charge of their learning with an inquiry-based learning approach based on the International Baccalaureate framework.

What is Inquiry-Based Learning?

While many preschool teachers begin the process of learning by presenting students with information, with inquiry-based learning, teachers first ask the students what they would like to learn and go from there. This innovative method of teaching helps the students to gain a better understanding through their own initiative and curiosity.

Inquiry-based learning encourages students to engage in the process of gathering data and to seek answers to their questions. Rather than being handed information, students are taught to ask questions, gather information, interpret data, and produce practical solutions. It teaches students to take action. Students are also taught to develop insightful questions and understand context.

As a result, your preschooler learns the fundamentals of problem solving, a mission Tessa International School is committed to in the classroom.

Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning

Students exposed to inquiry-based learning are given the opportunity to nurture their talents and passions. They take control of their learning during the unit of work being taught. Your preschooler is given the freedom to be driven by their own curiosity for learning.
Inquiry-based learning encourages your preschooler to use their voice when problem solving.They feel as if their mind is respected and their choices are valid. When students become active in the learning process, they are also more likely to seek solutions and keep an open mind when learning about processes involved in discovery. They feel empowered.
Inquiry-based learning promotes the act of questioning concepts and materials, so your child begins to understand the importance of having an inquisitive mind. As a result, she gains confidence when encouraged to ask about concepts related to educational materials, social skills, cultural differences and behavioral expectations. This openness to learn helps to guide them through life with an open mind.
While many classroom curriculum programs focus on memorization and facts, inquiry-based learning teaches your child to seek a deeper understanding of the process and materials presented to them.
Even as preschoolers, it’s important for students to take ownership of their learning. Inquiry-based learning approaches promote this practice. Students are involved in setting educational goals and are guided through the process of reaching these goals and then assessing how they did and what they learned at the end of it all.
This learning style impacts your little one long into their adult life because inquiry-based learning shows your child how to investigate and research independently, without assistance. With enhanced research skills, your child will have the skillset to evaluate credible sources and online content later in life.
As we learn and grow, life presents many challenges and questions. When exposed to inquiry-based learning techniques, your child learns how to take control of her learning through perseverance. With a clear focus on the growth of each student’s mind through self-regulation, this learning approach aids in developing your child’s sense of responsibility, not only as a student, but also a citizen.
Most importantly, inquiry-based learning is designed to foster a love of learning for children of all ages. Your child is encouraged to seek out the knowledge he or she is passionate about on a daily basis. Students also learn how to make each learning opportunity a journey of discovery, with a little fun along the way.

If you’re interested in learning more about the creative curriculum approaches of Tessa International School, contact us today to see how we are committed to this progressive framework and to excellence.

What is immersion education?

November 18, 2016/in Language Learning, Teaching and Learning, Tessa News /by ruben

Immersion education is a teaching method where students learn all subjects in a target language like French, Spanish, or Mandarin. It works best when children start early, as they can easily pick up language nuances. These classrooms offer efficient learning environments with quick transitions.

Teachers who are fluent and native speakers of the target language, commit to speaking it consistently. They use the target language during instruction, transitions, outdoor play, and meal times. Teachers pay close attention to students’ needs and individual learning styles.

The classroom features a literacy-rich environment with pictures, labels, and meaningful visuals to support the target language throughout the day. Teachers adeptly help comprehension through non-verbal clues and smart teaching strategies.

Days are organized, routines are consistent, and key phrases and vocabulary repeat often to boost vocabulary development. Children make connections across the curriculum as the target language and English curriculum align, reinforcing concepts and ideas in both languages.

Will your child lose their English?

Research indicates that children in immersion settings perform the same or better than their non-immersion peers.

What if you don’t speak the target language at home?

Your child can still succeed and gain proficiency even if you don’t speak the target language. Homework uses songs and games to review classroom learning in a fun and engaging way. Strong communication with your child’s teacher is essential for success.

It’s all in the way we learn…Total Physical Response (TPR)

November 2, 2016/in Classroom Management, Teaching and Learning /by ruben

James Asher, an American professor, developed a language teaching approach known as Total Physical Response (TPR) in the 1960s. This method suggests that memory improves when linked with physical movements.

TPR-based activities help children learn language through movements. These activities complement the classroom curriculum, and are both engaging and enjoyable.

We may not always think of TPR, but many games have TPR principles built in, like “Simon Says” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”. For example, TPR can be applied in learning Mandarin:

TPR enhances both short-term and long-term memory. When we learn to ride a bike, we always remember how, regardless of the years that have passed. We might need a quick refresher, but the skills remain.

TPR offers several benefits, such as helping learners understand target languages and supporting long-term retention in a stress-free way. This method can teach vocabulary related to actions, classroom directions, and storytelling. Teachers plan lessons with TPR to encourage engagement and improve listening fluency. Once learners have enough listening fluency, they start speaking the target language. Below is an example of TPR in the classroom.

You can read more at Total Physical Response (TPR).

Focusing on individual learning needs improves learning outcomes

October 12, 2016/in Teaching and Learning /by ruben

Understanding Individual learning?

Individual learning is closely related to differentiated instruction. While differentiated instruction focuses on flexible grouping of children, individualized instruction emphasizes the needs of each child. Good classrooms balance both differentiated methods and individualized learning to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment.

Why is individualized instruction important?

Meeting the varied needs of children can be a daunting task for educators. It takes more planning and assessment of student progress, but the benefits far outweigh the cons. Individualized instruction prepares children to become active and effective learners, developing the skills needed to be lifelong learners in an ever-evolving world. With the varied aptitude levels of children, individualized instruction uses their differences to increase morale, retain information, and enhance engagement in learning.

Starting the Process?

There are five essential steps to creating a successful individual learning classroom:

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely goals
Goals should be challenging
Setting goals that are dynamic and reviewed regularly
Letting students own their progress
Active Parent Involvement

What are some methods to individualize learning?

Teachers plan carefully and collaboratively to ensure they use meaningful data to gain insights on how individual children progress toward a goal. Shifting away from lengthy whole-group lessons to more play-based centers and inquiry-based projects allows for strategic use of current technological resources. Teachers design engaging lessons that tap into the natural curiosity of each child.

Providing opportunities for children to approach their learning in various ways offers more chances to retain information, improving morale and excitement for learning.

What are the benefits of individual learning?

Individualized learning allows students to learn at their own pace with teacher direction. They still work towards rigorous and challenging learning outcomes, but they are provided with a variety of ways to demonstrate their learning that lead to positive outcomes.