Learning Corners

A little girl in the preschool group was trying to thread a string through a bead. No matter how hard she tried, the frayed end would not pass through the hole. Three or four minutes went by. Her teacher watched but did not step in to do it for her. Then the girl seemed to realise that she needed to fix the frayed end. She pinched it into shape with her fingers. This time, the string went through.

This is how learning happens in our Balvihar. Our approach gives children the freedom to think and find solutions independently. The classroom has different learning corners, each offering new possibilities. There is a dollhouse corner and a space for building with blocks and other materials. One corner has  various books. Another has art supplies. There are also corners for puzzles, threading, science, and maths.

When children arrive at school, they choose their own corner. They decide what they want to do and how they want to do it. The teachers move around the classroom, observing what each child is doing. If they notice something important, they make a note of it. Children experiment, take things apart, and try again. They learn through their own experiences. As they explore, they also work in small groups, sharing ideas and learning from one another.

At our school, children begin learning to make decisions, act on them, and learn from their peers right from kindergarten.