Extended Philosophy

Group vs. Individual Learning

aKIDemia is a nurturing environment, which fosters the socio-emotional development of children, as they begin to learn the dynamics of social interaction - to cooperate with and to help one another. In this respect, the heterogeneous mixed age group setting is a great learning experience. As children interact with others, they act as mentors to each other, gaining an understanding of the accomplishments they have achieved and attaining insight into the challenges that remain.

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Yet, in addition to group interaction, we encourage independence, so that each child can explore and develop solutions on his/her own. And the teacher/student ratio is such that individual attention can be given to each child, in order to focus on his/her specific and unique needs. We strive to help each child achieve academic success. And in an effort to help your child reach this goal, assessment tools are used to monitor and assess his/her developmental progress.

A Structured Learning Environment

A daily, monthly and yearly schedule of activities is planned and placed prominently in the classroom to establish a daily rhythm. This enables the child to feel comfortable and secure within our classroom environment within the knowledge that activities will occur within a regularized time frame. Once children's needs for stability are met, they can then feel free to play and focus on learning objectives and activities, undisturbed.

Classroom guidelines, schedules and routines that promote clear, predictable instructional patterns, enhance children's sense of responsibility for their own learning. As teachers to your children, we realize that we serve as role models for them and promote values, such as, good hygiene, proper manners, cooperation, honesty, tolerance, teamwork, self-discipline and perseverance.

Behavior issues are handled on a case-by-case basis. Once the situation has calmed down, teachers sit down with the children who were involved to briefly talk about their behavior and the resultant consequences and feelings which followed. As a communicative measure and a way to keep parents informed, our teachers are available, at the end of the day, to give verbal reports on behavior, quality of naps, appetite, and temperament. 

Open Communication, Mutual Respect & Parental Involvement

Creativity flourishes in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance. Research has shown that a positive relationship between teacher and student has a positive influence on a child's attitude toward his/her future education. And a respectful teacher/student relationship helps to establish and maintain a secure, humanitarian and productive learning environment. Children are more likely to treat others with respect once it is demonstrated to them. The concept of respecting others is also acquired through self-discipline. As a way to foster this, teachers model courteous and supportive behavior. In line with this, classroom rules are in place, which serve as guidelines in teaching courtesy, respect and polite interaction.

We welcome parental involvement and encourage parents to play an active role in their child's education. We believe that teachers and parents should work together as partners in a child's academic success. Open communication is a key ingredient in establishing a successful parent-teacher partnership. As a way of fostering this, we give daily reports of your child's activities and progress, use progress reports to provide greater analysis of a child's progress, and encourage parents to make appointments with us to discuss their child's progress, throughout the year.