EARLY CHILDHOOD AT SAMBORONDÓN

English Language Immersion

Our Early Childhood Program is based on an English immersion model in which Colegio Menor’s students’ first experiences are designed to assist them in acquiring and speaking English naturally, through day-to-day interactions with teachers and classmates.

A Values-Based Education

We understand the important role that values play in the development of each child, which is why we include the six pillars of our Character Counts program in practical activities, and demonstrations. Our pillars are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

The Academic Model

Our team of professionals, specialized in Early Childhood education, carefully prepare daily lesson plans to include sensory exploration, rich language learning experiences, early literacy skills for reading and writing, math activities, physical activities, creative expression, discovery and science activities, and opportunities to develop social skills and emotional values.

To provide this wide array of experiences, we divide our classes into learning centers, which include reading, writing, blocks, manipulatives, sand and water tables, art, and dramatic play. Through this well-designed and teacher-guided environment, our program promotes the development of independence, a positive self-image, a sense of curiosity, and intrinsic motivation to learn more about the world that surrounds us.

Enriching Experiences

As a liberal arts school, we at Colegio Menor promote a holistic approach to education. Our Early Childhood program includes a variety of enriching classes for the youngest members of our community, such as music, expressive movement, technology using learning software and applications, weekly visits to the library, sensory exploration, and cooking.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness at Colegio Menor provides constant opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Some of the benefits of applying mindfulness in our curriculum include self-control, objectivity, affect tolerance, enhanced flexibility, equanimity, improved concentration and mental clarity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to relate to others and one's self with kindness, acceptance, and compassion.

It is an everyday practice that lasts no longer than 15-20 minutes. Every week, students learn something new about mindfulness by following the “Mindful Schools Curriculum”. The objective is that they learn how to apply all these mindfulness lessons in their daily life situations. Therefore, mindfulness is present in every activity or situation that happens at school. Teachers also reinforce this practice by reading books, planning games, and activities that foster self-awareness and being present.

Staff

To maintain the high quality among our teaching staff, all employees are required to participate in approximately 30 hours of training, workshops, and professional development courses every year. This ensures that all educators in Early Childhood stay up to date on the latest trends in education and research, which allows them to implement the best teaching practices in their classrooms.

Support Services

In the Early Childhood section, we’re aware that each child is a unique individual who matures and progresses at their own pace. As a result, the rate of development can vary from child to child. According to research based on age-group parameters, some children can require different types of support to reach milestones at age-appropriate stages. For this reason, our program offers social support and emotional guidance from a professional psychologist and a learning specialist.

Counseling

In Early Childhood, the role of the counselor is to monitor and support students in the acquisition of necessary social, emotional, learning, behavioral, and teamwork skills. At this level, our DECE Department pays particular attention to the development of our young students’ interpersonal skills, self-esteem, decision making, and mindfulness.

Learning Support

In Early Childhood, the main role of our Learning Specialist is to provide early intervention to address the areas of difficulty a child may have. Our Learning Specialist also works with children who require extra support. In some cases, children may require additional support from an off-site Learning Specialist to overcome difficulties or to learn strategies to adapt to different learning styles.

Our School, Parents, and Community

At Colegio Menor, we believe our program is only a part of the essential pieces necessary to facilitate healthy, integral, and positive childhood development. For this reason, we offer a wide array of opportunities to encourage the school and parents to work as a team, while also offering parents the support and ongoing communication that is necessary to establish effective collaboration. Additionally, as part of a greater community, we encourage our young learners to develop a sense of connectedness and belonging within the wider community.

Little Pumas

Students from Playgroup through 1st Grade can attend our after-school sports camp, Little Pumas Academy, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. They can choose one or two activities between soccer, dance or martial arts.