EXPOSING little children to school and other learning experiences will not only make them smarter and more at edge compared to other kids their age, they will also learn to be more socially adept.
Cambridge Child Development Center in Abreeza Ayala Mall is a progressive preschool here in Davao City which accepts little kids from as young as 10 months to 5 years old.
Cambridge directress Alecxa Callao said their program comes in four categories – pre-toddler program which caters to kids 10 months old to 1.6 years old, toddler program with kids from 1.6 years old to 2.6 years old, junior nursery from 2.6 years old to four years old, and the senior nursery from four years old to five years old.
“As much as we can, we really do away with pen and paper type of teaching except, of course for the senior nursery because they will be preparing for big school, but for the younger programs, we make it a point to provide them with experiential activities,” said Callao.
In the past, they have invited doctors, pilots, security guards, and other working professionals who the kids can ask and get to know more.
They also went around the mall to meet the guards on duty, thank them for keeping the mall secure, and gave the guards “thank you” cards as well. They were also taught of basic CPR. At one time, they also partnered with a pizza parlor in Abreeza Ayala Malls to show the little kids how to make pizza.
“We try to get out and we try to involve the family because we believe family involvement is really important,” said Callao. She added that there were times they invited the parents of their own children whose profession or background is relevant to the topic being discussed by the teacher.
While the teaching modules of Cambridge Child Development Center are from Singapore, the teaching style is also flexible depending on the interest of the children. Although two children may be of the same age, the teachers acknowledge that they might have different learning capacities. And so, there is the individualized instruction wherein the teachers create different activities fit for the respective students.
Students at Cambridge are also made to be part of activities-for-a-cause.
“During the end of our term, we have a culminating event. Sometimes we cook with the kids, we exhibit and auction their artworks throughout the term. We have beneficiaries for activities like this. Last time we had a dog shelter beneficiary to which the proceeds of their art gallery auction were bought with dog food,” she shared.
For little children, learning is much more obtained through hands-on experience among others.
Cambridge Child Development Center can be reached through 0917-118-0750 or 0933-859-7543. They can also be emailed at abreeza@cambrdige.com.ph.