Lower Years

We believe that children love learning and do not consider ʻworkʼ (reading, writing, maths) unpleasant if they have experienced abundant praise and only the most tactful criticism, a criticism which in no way takes away their self esteem. Most children cannot take obvious correction until they are six and even then, until a child is around eight years of age he will be fragile.

School should be an extension of the home so that a child feels that same unconditional love. It is only when a child feels loved that one can impose boundaries and discipline without damage. Children will do anything for their teacher if they feel liked and respected.

Children are taught the core subjects in the morning, literacy, numeracy, handwriting. The afternoons are spent on lighter activities such as painting, make believe, singing, cooking, games. The teachers speak in French during most of these activities and the children, under no pressure whatsoever, learn to understand everything with almost uncanny rapidity. we have found that if one does not ask a young child to speak French or indeed to repeat anything, he will of his own accord do so. By Year 3, many of our children are almost fluent in French.

It is in free play that children have the chance to best acquire social skills.