Project Approach
Children’s Learning Development Level Are the Focus
Building on children’s natural curiosity, the Project Approach offers in-depth learning experiences for our prenatal, infant and toddler, and preschool classes. This teaching method gives children opportunities to do first-hand research at their developmental level on a topic that is meaningful to them.
Each project starts with a topic, such as “Water” or “Four Seasons.” Topics are selected based on student interest and relevance to their lives. Teachers and children begin by brainstorming together using the KWL approach. What do you know? What do you want to know? What will we learn? Teachers will create a learning web that will help to direct the topic exploration. in the classroom. In the preschool program, the instructional language is mainly English. Teachers supplement with the home language whenever children need it. The placement of classroom teachers aims to have a native English speaker and another teacher capable of speaking children’s home language.
The children go into a great depth of investigation, building upon prior knowledge and relating to the topic in many ways.
The Project Approach extends the learning beyond the classroom, immersing the learning into children’s home and community and connecting the learning to the real world. The learning grows and extends depending on children’s interest and the discovery along the way. Teachers are facilitators to support children’s investigation and discovery. They integrate content knowledge like math, reading, and science into the project. Parents support the learning at home, and can also provide ideas, materials, or resources in the process. Projects can last from one week to several months, depending on the children’s interests and developmental stage.
Through the Project Approach, children learn content as well as the scientific process skills which they practice during the exploration. These include observing, experimenting, communicating, counting, discussing, documenting, problem-solving, and concluding. There are many opportunities for relationship building, quality interactions, and meaningful processes.
The Project Approach is welcoming and inclusive, and helps children build social-emotional skills. Specifically, it:
- Fosters positive relationships and teamwork
- Validates children’s feelings, thoughts, and ideas
- Encourages self expression and cooperation
- Supports problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Teaches responsibility and independence
Please contact our education team at (415) 982-4777 or email us at info@kaiming.org to learn more.