In our Oak Room all preschool age children learn at their own unique pace and by “doing” and actively participating in their own learning. In order to support this, we use combined play based and Montessori method by trusting the children’s natural process and following their lead rather than directing it.
We implement our Emergent Curriculum in the Oak Room based on the children’s actual interest, likes, dislikes, strengths, and abilities in line with Aistear, the National Curriculum Framework.
We offer stimulating environments both indoors and outdoors, with open-ended, natural materials, using the curiosity approach. The learning and play areas are carefully designed to allow the children to become active learners and to process what they have seen and experience it in a creative and imaginative way.
In the Oak Room we make sure that everyone is having fun and arrives and goes home with a big smile on their faces. Our days include a great variety of balanced learning opportunities which can involve a guided Montessori session, in-and outdoor free play, circle time, arts and craft, sensory play, story time, music and movement session, baking, science experiments, relaxation… depending on the children’s actual mood and interest. Partnership with parents and carers is important to us. We use the Acorn App for effective two-way communication and to provide clear information about the children’s progress on a regular basis. We like to take every opportunity to support collaboration with the families. The “Golden Hour” is a real success in our room- volunteering parents, carers, grandparents come in and share their hobbies, talk about their job, cultural background or just simply read us a story or join our circle time. This means that everyone from the family has a chance to spend time with the Oaks and keeps them actively involved and feel welcomed and help their sense of community develop and the world around them.
The combination of the environment and the well-considered daily routine help to promote independence, exploration, trust, and sense of belonging by supporting the children’s active learning in a holistic way.
