Natural, structured learning - guided by expertly trained and certified teachers
Birth to 12 months
Babies are guided using the latest research and the 'serve and return' model of interacting with quality caregivers to build communication skills and vocabulary. They also spend plenty of time strengthening their core muscles through tummy time, sitting on laps reading books, or engaging in sensory activities, leading to increased sensory-motor integration for things like crawling, standing, and ultimately walking. Teachers are guiding children through 25 developmental skills across our 6 domains and tracking over 110 skill indicators through our teacher application.
1 to 2 years
Young toddlers are guided in the social and emotional skills they need to develop in order to control themselves, be independent, and begin to work with others. They are immersed in fun play-based activities to prime them for later literacy and numeracy skill development. Teachers are guiding the young toddlers through 24 developmental skills across our 6 domains and tracking around 70 skill indicators through our teacher application.
2 to 3 years
Toddlers are guided in the relationship and character development skills they need in order to communicate and collaborate with others. These types of learning readiness skills and fine motors skills are precursors to children's abilities to read and write. Teachers are guiding the toddlers through 24 skills across our 6 domains and tracking over 90 skill indicators through our teacher application.
3 to 4 years
Older toddlers continue to work on their soft skills while also being guided in the academic skills they will need to start reading, writing, and increase their vocabulary. Teachers are guiding the older toddlers through nearly 50 skills across our 6 domains and tracking nearly 200 skill indicators.
4 to 5 years
Children continue to be guided in the executive functioning skills they need to be able to complete tasks all while learning through hands-on and engaging activities. Big school preparedness is emphasised. Teachers are guiding the children through nearly 50 skills across our 6 domains and tracking nearly 260 skill indicators.
5 to 6 years
Children are guided in the literacy and numeracy skills they need for big school all while building 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Teachers are guiding the children through nearly 50 skills across our 6 domains and tracking around 240 skill indicators.
Cognitive Development through Exploration and Play
Play and exploration provide a platform for supporting the development of children’s literacy and numeracy skills as well as capitalising on children’s natural curiosities and exuberance with the world around them. Early childhood is not only a period of amazing physical growth, it is also a time of remarkable mental development.
Relationships and Character Development
Kipinä supports every child’s social and emotional development in ways that allow each child to form positive relationships with others. In providing a safe and caring learning environment where a child’s sense of self is nurtured, opportunities for the development of one’s character is a natural progression and intended outcome of the program.
Numeracy
Children need numeracy skills to solve problems, make sense of time, numbers, patterns and shapes. Numerate Kipinä kids will develop confidence in making judgments or taking actions in all aspects of their daily lives through the ability to critically assess and reflect upon quantitative information. Providing our children with a strong numeracy foundation will allow for deeper explorations in mathematical thinking and concepts as the child enters into KG-12 school settings.
Physical Development and Wellness Awareness
An integrated focus on physical activity and wellness development through the Kipinä curriculum supports strong cognitive and physical development and produces high academic performance in children. Current brain research shows evidence that children who are physically active and lead healthy lifestyles are happier and able to advance more quickly developmentally than children who experience a more sedentary unhealthy lifestyle.
Cultural Awareness and Diversity
Kipinä seeks to provide an inclusive environment that celebrates the uniqueness of every child. In this caring environment, children will be nurtured to develop a deep understanding of the culture to which they belong, while instilling an appreciation and acceptance for the diversity of cultures that exist in our global society. Children will become socially responsible citizens sensitive to equitable and democratic practices that deepen their sense of cultural identity.
Literacy, Communication and Language
Children are active learners in the process of making meaning of the world that surrounds them. How they choose to communicate affects their identities and is influenced by language. Kipinä offers a socially and intellectually engaging environment where children’s communicative practices, languages, literacies and literate identities are valued and supported.
Innovation Built in
Our curriculum, the skills and learning outcomes, and all six domains, support 21st century skill development. Children build their abilities to innovate and problem solve – using the 6 C’s; Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Character, and Citizenship – through teacher questioning and activities every day!