Our learning approach
Maria Montessori famously said 'Play is the work of the child'. At Coast Montessori, we encourage learning through child led play, complemented by a rich array of learning invitations facilitated by our talented and experienced teaching team, leading to to child led questioning, investigation, and exploration.
Children aged two to five experience a desire for increased independence during these exciting and curious years. They ask many questions about the world around them, develop their own sense of self, and explore their relationships with others.
We know that this age group is naturally curious, full of energy and with a huge desire for independence. That’s why we focus on learning about and celebrating the uniqueness of each of our tamariki so that we can support them to lead their own learning journey of becoming all that they can be. Our beautiful environment allows our tamariki to explore their own interests, in their own way and at their own pace.
Our daily programme and curriculum supports this journey of discovery. We enable children to flourish as critical thinkers and confident, curious learners, preparing them not just for school, but for life.
Social and emotional competence
The early years are an important time in a child’s development…..a time when children develop social skills, and form values, attitudes and internal beliefs that can last a lifetime
Social and emotional competence is a broad set of skills that children can develop to help them navigate social interactions and feelings. Early childhood centre's are socially rich contexts and a key part of our curriculum is to give children the time, support and opportunities to practice and build their own competences, in a safe and secure space. These skills are woven throughout Te Whariki, our early childhood curriculum and include:
Resilience – to try again when things don’t go right
Persistence – to keep trying when things get hard
Curiosity – to explore the unknown
Empathy – to recognise the needs of others
Negotiation – to talk with others about what you need
Problem solving – moving obstacles
Communication – making your voice and viewpoint heard
Emotional regulation – managing big feelings in a positive way
Self management – the cognitive ability to learn
Conflict resolution – constructively dealing with differences
Self belief – to know you are important, and that your voice matters
Respect – for ourselves, for others and for our environment