Children have a natural curiosity in them. This should be built upon for children to understand the details and reasons that things in the world function the way they are. In Harvard Little Sciences™, the aim is to strengthen the curiosity and creativity in children and educate them in applying the skills and ethics learnt into their daily life. Instead of simply accepting that things are the way they are, they will be able to question and think of more efficient ways to handle situations. Topics covered from the different branches of sciences (physics, chemistry, astronomy and biology) will allow them to learn the foundation of observing trends and patterns, make informed decisions, understand the role of science in society and lastly develop care and concern for the environment.
With society’s constant development, it is not only important to be forward looking but also to look back at our past and heritage. Only then can we appreciate our roots and learn from past’s mistakes. Also, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is important for children to understand the differences between different countries and regions. With Harvard Little Humanities™, children are exposed to the different disciplines such as geography, history, current affairs as well as general knowledge. They will learn to appreciate our past events and respect different cultures, becoming responsible people of the world.
The programme consists of 25 lessons to be taught. A wide variety of resources including videos and its related multi-sensorial activities are used to introduce and build the children’s interest in science and humanities. Occasional mini field trips out (such as gardens around the school) are recommended as well for children to have an outdoor classroom setting instead. Children will receive an all-rounded education that is sourced from different perspectives, thereby building their foundations and inculcating in them skills and attributes for the future.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Harvard Little Science & Humanities™ is targeted to children between 18 months to 6 years old. It is one of the programmes for children who are enrolled in Harvard Little Brain School.
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMME
Increased curiosity about the environment
The programme aims to reinforce and develop the curiosity in children about their environment. By providing them basic concepts and terms, they will be able to understand their environment better and develop the attitude for future scientific inquiry. Skills picked up during the lessons such as observation of trends and comparing patterns will be useful in the future to make informed decisions.
Appreciation of different world cultures and past events
Although lessons are being carried out in a classroom, the programme exposes the children to other parts of the world and allows them to understand the differences between people and countries. Early exposure will allow the children to cultivate an appreciation towards different world culture and develop a social perspective. This is a necessary attitude to have in the interconnected world.
Develop a perspective towards nature
With an increased in global population and increasing affluence, the amount of resources used daily has been forecasted to exceed what the Earth can supply. It is therefore important to educate from young the necessity in conserving and leaving enough behind for the future generations. Together with an understanding on how natural processes works, children will have an awareness of humanity’s place in the universe. When such a mindset is being cultivated, children will naturally be able to develop certain values such as integrity and responsibility.
FEATURES OF THE PROGRAMME
The programme consists of the following features:
Hands-On Experiences
Children learn and remember better with a multi-sensorial approach. Instead of only listening to the facilitator explaining key concepts, children get to carry out simple experiments to reinforce their learning. From direct observation, they will then be able to create their own discussions and conclusions.
Two-way Learning
Constant encouragement for children to share their knowledge and questions are key learning style in this programme. The curriculum is structured such that children get to share their inputs with their friends and facilitator and not simply a one way lecture style teaching. Children can then grow into a self-directed learner.
Parental Involvement
Retention of knowledge is more efficient with constant reinforcement hence, parental involvement is crucial. The programme consists of activities and parenting tips for parents to refer to continue the learning at home.