RAISING A CHILD FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.
Gaia exercises several pedagogies perfectly suited to the needs of the 21st century child.
Reggio Emilia
Regio is a preschool and primary education philosophy focused on self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments. Developed after World War II by pedagogist Loris Malaguzzi and parents of the villages around Reggio Emilia, Italy, this programme is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration, discovery and play. Reggio today is widely regarded as one of the finest education systems in the world. At Gaia, the outside and inside ‘combine seamlessly’ and aesthetically in true Reggio style, where the environment is considered the third teacher. All activities at Gaia are carefully planned and designed to learn, teach, provoke, and encourage thinking, curiosity, conversation, reflection, and wonder. Set mostly at ground level, classrooms are interconnected and the school has an open-air covered courtyard that allows for encounters and exchanges at different times. In following with the Reggio philosophy, the school favours a research and documentation-based approach for both children and facilitators and involves parents as partners and teachers.
Montessori
The Montessori method of education emphasises independence and considers children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in supportive and structured learning environments. Developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori, it helps children “develop creativity, problem solving, and social and time-management skills to contribute to society and the environment, and to become fulfilled persons in their particular time and place on earth.” At Gaia the principles of Montessori are put into practice in the classroom and every child’s individual choice of research and work is respected and encouraged rather than just attending group lessons led by a teacher.
Khel-Katha™
Khel-Katha™ is a 21st century approach that inculcates learning via storytelling and games that encourage children to make instant connections, thus allowing for natural retention of complex concepts and skills. Gaia has revived the ancient and vibrant Indian legacy of stories from the Panchatantra and around the world that are then adapted into role-play, dance, art projects and multimedia lessons. Gaia’s stories are transformed into learning units that incorporate math, social science, and the language arts.