There are two lasting bequests we can give our children:
one is roots, the other is wings. — Hodding Carter, Jr.
Kiddywinks
values languages and cultures and recognises the essential need for education
to provide children with an appreciation and understanding of other languages
in our lives.
Several studies by leading researchers in the field of bilingual
education (J. Cummins, C. Baker and F. Genesee) confirm the incredible number
of advantages of children educated in bilingual programmes where they maintain
and develop their mother-tongue.
Moreover there are incredible
psychological benefits of learning another language. Longitudinal studies by
Harvard University confirm that learning additional languages increases
critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of the mind in young
children. The younger the learner, the better they are at mimicking new sounds
and adopting pronunciation.
At Kiddywinks
young children have time to learn narturally within authentic contexts and
through play-like activities. Before children become self- conscious they can
try out their newly acquired languages without fear of embarrassment.
Children who
grow up learning about languages develop empathy for others and a curiosity for
different cultures and ideas. They prepare themeselves to take their place in a
global society. Furthermore, in later years, career opportunities increase for
those with additional languages to offer.
At Kiddywinks we choose a bilingual education model which reflects the
values of Additive Bilingualism where the child's mother-tongue is nurtured,
and Italian and English are valued equally. Language development happens through a
number of aspects we take into consideration while interacting with children:
- Creating as
far as possible a balanced 50:50 context
- Creating an
additive context by supporting home languages
- Creating a
literary rich environment (signs, charts, boards, Montessori materials)
- Improving
literacy practices during the school day (reading, rhymes and songs,
storytelling, circle time, drama)
- Privileging
individual talks following the interests of children and organizing small
groups activities
- Fostering
free interaction amongst children
- Stimulating
families to cover an active role in children education and within school
community (inviting parents to read to children, bookcrossing, etc.)
- Informing
parents about daily activities and materilas to help them improving children
learning at home (rhymes and songs, books read during the day)
- Support children understanding through translanguing practices
(strategic and planned use of two languages within the same experience or
activity)
- Planning activities that develop metalinguistic awareness in children
( talking in verses, reflecting upon a mistake made, playing on words)
- Making use of many rhymes, songs and poems during the school day
- Planning activities which cover different linguistic areas like
colours, family, animals or staging small situation during which children learn
for example how to ask questions or apologize.
- Learning with fun. The more fun it is to learn a
language, the more a child will want to stay with it. Learning while playing is
the best way to learn because it creates emotional attachments, and emotion is
the door to learning
At Kiddywinks we turn every outing into a
learning experience. Children can learn a new language while counting oranges,
comparing leaves, classifying different birds, food, or anything that interests
them.