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Close-up of colorful wooden play blocks in different colors.

TAKING TIME

 

We at tree House Swans take the time to thoughtfully plan the environment and activities that stimulates and further the growth in different developmental areas. Through the interaction with their physical environment as well as the adults,

 

the children constantly refine their social -emotional, motoric, cognitive and creative, language and intercultural competencies.

We see parents are partner in this process. It is important to take the time for the parents in our work with the children.

  • A little girl with curly hair and a straw hat, with a colorful butterfly resting on her nose.

    Social and Emotional Competencies

    The first step in the development of social and emotional competencies is developing the ability to name and understand their own emotions. This will enable the child to develop feelings and empathy towards others. We approach individual children with a high degree of respect and empathy as we believe that experiencing feelings always goes hand in hand with a positive acknowledgment of oneself and one’s own emotional world.

     

    In the next step, we support the child in their ability to build relations with other children and adults, so they can have fun together, find joy playing and learning in groups and solve  possible conflicts and overcome stressful situations independently using a goal-oriented approach to solve problems keeping their integrity.

     

  • Several bottles of colorful liquid paint are standing next to each other.

    Motor Competencies

    Childhood is a time of rapid physical development. Acquiring and mastering  gross motor  skills involving large body movement as well  as fine motor skills involving precision are equally important for independence and confidence.

     

    At Tree House Swans educators foster development of motor skills by selecting toys and activities suited to child’s skill level. Children are given the space and time to perform a wide range of physical actions in a safe and supervised environment. The special movement room is very loved and enjoyed by the children.  Activities that foster manual dexterity and hand eye co-ordination are incorporated into daily curriculum. Mastering these skills ensure being better prepared for school.

  • Close-up of colorful wooden play blocks in different colors.

    Cognitive and Creative Competencies

    We recognize that children’s thinking is different from the thinking of adults and over time children move through distinct stages as they develop more complex ways of understanding the world.

     

    At Tree House Swans we supply children with a variety of material, expose them to new experiences and encourage them to explore and experiment. Various activities that engage children in problem solving, sorting, classifying, understanding and using information are presented in a playful manner.

     

    Along with this, open ended art projects, music, movement and dance activities are in co-operated in the daily curriculum to foster creative expression. Our early musical education program is conducted by Ms. Grahe. You can read more about her work at www.amiragrahe.de

  • Colorful kindergarten lockers in green, turquoise, yellow and white with compartments for clothes and shoes.

    Intercultural Competencies

    The culture of Tree House Swans is characterized by an openness and tolerance for diversity and has team members coming  from different parts of the world. In this way we transmit to our children an authentic understanding of different cultures and religions as integral part of their daily experience. In our curriculum we also plan projects and activities that expose children to different counties, traditions and cultures.

     

    We at Tree House Swans have a culture of our own which is embedded in our values and goals.  Identification with these values is beyond the borders of nationality and religion and a requirement for being a part of the Tree House Swans team.

  • Close-up of a climbing bridge made of wooden rungs and colorful ropes.

    Language Competencies

    Tree House Swans is a bilingual Kindergarten where caregiving and education are done using the English and the German language. During the first years of life, children are particularly receptive to learning a new language.

     

    At tree house swans, the children learn both the English as well as German language parallel using  the immersion principle. In practice, this means that each educator consistently speaks either English or German to the children. Thus for the child, each educator is firmly associated with the language they speak. Each group consists of  English as well as German speakers.Thus the children are continuously surrounded by both these languages and learn them in a playful manner during the course of the kindergarten day.

Parents as Partners

We see parents as  important partners in the service we provide to their children. We believe that only a collaboration between the parents and staff will help promote quality child care. 

 

Daily exchange about the child takes place at drop off time in the morning and at pick up time in the afternoon. In addition, at Tree House Swans a written assessment of the development of the child is handed out to the parents once a year which is explained in detail to the parents in a personal meeting.

Regular parent socialization events are organized for the children, parents and staff to spend time together.  Parent evening are organized at least two times a year for the kindergarten as a whole. Individual parent meeting are offered at least once a year and if more are required, the group leader can be approached at any time.

  • Four colorful stuffed animals sitting next to each other
  • Colorful mobile with green and orange wings and multicolored balls hanging from the ceiling.
  • Close-up of a climbing bridge made of wooden rungs and colorful ropes.
  • Children sitting in a colorful round swing that swings high.
  • Exterior view of the Kindergarten with a sign reading 'Tree House Swans - International Bilingual Kindergarten'.
  • Colorful sand toys such as molds, buckets, and shovels are lying in the sand.
  • Outdoor playground with sand, trees and wooden play structures: a slide, a climbing and tunnel area, and a round net swing under a sunshade.
  • Several bottles of colorful liquid paint are standing next to each other.
  • Colorful crafts: On colored paper, wooden sticks have been arranged in the shape of a house.
  • Several colorful children's vehicles, including a tricycle and small toy cars, are standing on sandy ground.
  • Close-up of blooming chives with purple flowers in the garden.
  • Two leaf-shaped cushions, one orange and one yellow, with a wooden lettering in front reading ‘Herzmensch’.