Our Curriculum
Policy
Here at Tir na nÓg we operate a play based emergent interest curriculum, which fosters the child's holistic development.
We view children as competent and capable learners, active in their own learning and capable of constructing knowledge which is relevant and meaningful to them, supported by their educators and peers.
The children's interests, inquiries, likes and needs are incorporated into and lie central to the curriculum plans with the children throughout all age ranges.
Curriculums are well planned and promote choice and self-directed play and learning throughout the day along with planned activities which foster different aspects of the child's development.
We ensure that children are given opportunities to participate in a variety of activities daily including:
Language, literacy and library time.
Numeracy - early counting, weighing, volume etc.
Construction.
Dramatic Play.
Art and creative expression.
Information Technology.
Sensory play such as sand and water.
Science and STEM education
Music and movement.
Physical and active play.
Outdoor play.
Educators observe, listen to and consult the children regarding their planning and use this rich and valuable information to form the base for which they develop weekly curriculum plans.
We ensure throughout the daily activities that all aspects of the child's development be it social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical are promoted and supported in a meaningful capacity.
Curriculum Types
Play based emergent curriculums:
A play-based emergent curriculum involves both child-initiated and teacher- supported learning in a playful environment. The rooms are set up to support growth across the five main areas of development- social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development and the children engage in activities through play, which foster strengths and abilities in each area.
The educators skilfully observe the children at play and listen attentively to their conversations and engage in active planning with the child to discover their interests and what is relevant to their learning and lives at this point. From there, the educators would plan activities based on the needs, interests and desires of the group, ensuring that at all times each area of development is catered for and indeed growth and development is fostered.
Montessori Curriculum:
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Montessori regarded the purpose of education as helping the full development of the individual, allowing the children to grow and develop in a natural way. The Montessori classroom is central to that development. The classroom or environment is prepared to meet the needs of each child and provides them with an opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Unlike other curriculum approaches, there are a specific set of materials which are used by the children throughout their work cycle and which aid their learning and development across the five main areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Numeracy, Literacy, Art and Culture.
Irish Language Curriculum:
Our Irish language curriculum amalgamates the play-based emergent curriculum approach through the medium of the Irish language. The children learn words and phrases in Irish which are relevant to their learning, days and lives, through an immersive language approach, reaping all the benefits of a play based educational environment too.
The educator uses both Irish and English in their approach with the children and establishes a strong base for the children’s acquisition of a second language. Research dictates that the younger a child is exposed to a second language the stronger their ability to acquire it becomes.