At American Gulf School, early childhood educators aim to prepare children for the world they live in and to be future leaders by setting a positive example for them and displaying enthusiasm and love for learning while fostering their self-confidence.
In PreK, our children are valued, nurtured and respected as individuals. It is our role as educators to assume responsibility for each child’s personal and educational development while they are in our care. Accordingly, our planning and daily care must cater to, stimulate, and challenge the diverse range of needs, talents, cultures and interests of our children. We support the children’s progress throughout their learning journey with continual observation, assessment, planning, documentation, evaluation and reflection. We also work with learning support specialists to find the best practices when working with children with additional learning needs.
Children require a secure, caring, calm and stimulating environment in which they can grow emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. We provide the children in PreK with a safe environment, which supports risk-taking and encourages sharing of ideas.
In PreK, classrooms are flexible and stimulating. It is a place where students are engaged in learning through interacting with people and materials around them. Children are exposed to exploratory play, guided discovery, problem-solving and direct instruction in core areas such as social-emotional development, physical development, communication and language, literacy, mathematics, science, UAE social studies, and expressive arts and drama and design technology. During a typical school day, there will be structured and unstructured periods, enabling children to learn at their own rate. Learning areas may include building and blocks, imaginative play, the arts (music and paints), sensory play, a library area, cooking opportunities, gross motor (throwing to a target, yoga, or walking a zig-zag line), a discovery table, fine motor (writing tools, lacing, tweezers) and a peaceful place.
Exploring learning with children involves activities that are both practical and fun since play is a natural way in which children learn. In PreK, children grasp concepts when they’re meaningful and hands-on. There are many opportunities for imaginative role-play in the classroom.
In the KG department, we believe that an educator should act as a guide providing access to information and experiences rather than being the primary source of information.