- Education is not the filling of barrels, but the lighting of flames. - Heraclid
At African Giggles we believe that a professional, friendly, secure, well-balanced, stimulating and nurturing environment is the foundation of a successful future for our children.
We believe that the formative years are the most crucial of a child’s learning experience. The knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and values acquired at school are the reference point to which they will be able to refer back to throughout their lives. A child’s education that enriches all aspects of their development by giving the child a sense of security and belonging will be the foundation of their emotional intelligence.
At African Giggles we undertake to support and accompany your child with sensitivity in his/her education and development, and regard children as unique individuals with the irrepressible need to explore their world. Through education and play we help and encourage children to develop into confident and self-determining people.
In doing this, we use a holistic approach: Self-recognition and the promotion of a positive feeling of self-worth make it possible for the child to take on responsibility and to cooperate within a group. In dealing with the teachers and – even more important – peers, the child’s communication skills, perseverance and willingness to compromise are furthered. By keeping the classes small, the children benefit greatly as they are given continual individual attention.
Our Vision
To create a generation of confident, conscious and responsible young people through holistic, creative education. We strive to support our children in their journey to become strong, healthy and balanced individuals through a nurturing and respectful environment.
Our Mission
We strive to provide a safe, caring, and loving environment to enable the child to develop in every aspect – physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. To create a structured environment, with flexibility that revolves around the individuality of each child, thus incorporating both Montessori and other pedagogic teaching in the classroom.
Our Objectives
- to provide education and care for pre-primary children from two to six years.
- to be a cross community school that embraces all cultures, religions and creeds, with the aim of breaking down social barriers.
- to provide education in the medium of English and to be supportive of second language English speakers as well as to actively encourage the speaking of other languages
- to draw on various educational approaches.
- the school aims to foster a dynamic, interactive relationship with open communication between teachers, parents and pupils.
- to create an environment where children are encouraged to share and explore thoughts and feelings, and deal with emotions constructively.
- to use nature, its elements and rhythms as a inspiration for education.
- to encourage the learning of life skills and social skills.
- the school aims to foster respect for nature, animals, humans, food and life. We aim to encourage children to be polite and understand the need for good manners.
- to create a safe and nurturing environment for children in which they receive attention, time and love.
- to provide a place for children to explore and express themselves through physical activity within a meaningful day structure.
- to focus on the development of creative skills, imagination and expression.
Daily structure:
At African Giggles we have a structured and routine environment, with flexibility, that revolves around the individuality of each child.
Our morning circle will begin with the children greeting each other and the teachers before sitting down to participate in discussing themes and topics. This daily ritual facilitates the child’s separation from its parents and gives it the feeling of being welcome in the group. Each child has a chance to contribute and to truly engage with their classmates and teachers. This develops their concentration, intellectual and language skills.
Creative activities follow the circle, allowing the children to develop their creative abilities as well as their fine motor skills. We use a variety of media and encourage the children to be adventurous with their creations.
After cleaning up and snack time the rest of the day is filled according to the daily schedule.
The fantasy corner is a wonderful way of allowing children to be adventurous and spontaneous. They interact with their peers and their imaginative play is developed.
During free play, the children are given the freedom to move around the classroom choosing educational materials to play with.
The wonderful garden and outside play area gives fresh air and exercise, helping to develop gross motor skills and to strengthen immune systems.
Environmental awareness is fostered daily by observing and interacting with nature, helping the children learn to love, value and protect their natural environment. In respectful interaction with nature, the children get to know the fauna and flora and discover something new every day.
Music and movement are incorporated into every day as they are very important during the early development years of a child, increasing concentration and creativity and improving social skills.
Story-time promotes the child’s appreciation for books and improves their concentration and vocabulary. This quiet time also allows the children to wind down after the business of the day.
Basic concepts of African Giggles:
The educational work of the kindergarten includes the following:
A. Early Childhood Development
- Optimal development of language-learning ability through exposure to various languages. This simultaneously furthers cognitive skills and also helps the child to cope with the written language at a later stage.
- Development of school preparedness by increasing observation and concentration ability, motor and social skills.
- Regular theme weeks in the fields of music, art, nature, exercise, nutrition, etc.
Regular development and progress discussions with the parents
B. Ensuring good health by encouraging exercise and healthy, balance nutrition.
We strive to teach the children the following basic skills:
- Self-perception: A feeling of self-worth; Positive self-image
- Motivational skills: Autonomous experience; Skills experience; Self-regulation; Curiosity and individual interests
- Cognitive skills: Differentiated perception; The ability to think clearly; Memory; Problem-solving ability; Fantasy and creativity
- Physical skills: Taking responsibility for health and physical well-being; Gross and fine motor skills; The ability to regulate physical effort
- Social skills: Good relations with adults and children; Empathy; The ability to communicate; The ability to cooperate; Conflict management
- Development of values and orientation skills: Value systems; Moral judgement; Lack of prejudice and sensitivity towards and respect for people who are different
- The ability and willingness to take on responsibility: Responsibility for own actions; Responsibility towards other people; Responsibility for the environment and nature
- The ability and willingness to participate democratically: Accepting and adhering to rules for discussions and decision-making; Voicing and thinking about the personal point of view
- Learning skills: The ability to learn
