The Best Futuristic School in the Republic of South Africa
The theory of Multiple Intelligences (M.I.)
It was originally founded by Professor Howard Gardner of Harvard University over three decades ago and has since been carried out into many parts of the world.
Traditionally, intelligence is often defined as our intellectual potential and is commonly measured by fixed methods, such as IQ tests and examinations. However, current research indicates that intelligence is not merely a static structure but can also be measured in an open and dynamic system where children continue to develop throughout life.
According to Gardner’s theory, one form of intelligence is not better than another, as they are all equally valuable and viable. Yet, he discovered that different cultures are biased towards and against certain types of intelligence. These biases, added to the traditional theory of intelligence, have limited the development of curricula, instructional strategies, and current methods of assessment.
Recognizing this, Dr Indira Naidoo's Academy is proud to adopt the concept of Multiple Intelligences into its preschool curriculum. Through M.I., we are able to develop an effective approach to nurture children and honouring their individual needs based on their strengths and areas of intelligence. As such, we at Dr Indira Naidoo's Academy believe that every child is special and unique in their own right.
This approach provides a framework to identify how children learn; to build on their strongest assets; to help them become more intelligent by exposing them to a variety of ways of learning; to better individualize for their interests and needs; and to use teaching strategies that make learning more efficient, successful, and enjoyable for all children. We can foster meaningful learning experiences by using multiple teaching tools and strategies and by building positive, supportive relationships with children. Through environments that offer a variety of stimulating, hands-on materials that children individually select, and by creating learning centers that provide natural opportunities to move, be active, and fully engaged in either solo or small group experiences, we better serve and meet the needs of more children.
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Our aim is to provide a curriculum which is appealing, stimulating, challenging, and pertinent to the children. Using higher order thinking skills helps children analyse, synthesise and understand what they learn, while enhancing their ability to transfer competencies and skills.
Our curriculum is organised into five areas of learning:
Communication and Language Development Focussing on the fundamentals of oral communication speaking and listening, reading and comprehending simple texts and encouraging writing skills, this area of learning helps children stay ahead of the curve by giving them the edge to start writing and reading avidly and become proficient communicators. They are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas verbally in both English and their mother tongue language.
Numeracy This area helps children develop their skills in logical operations, like counting, sorting, matching, creating patterns, problem solving and working with shapes and measures. We help them build a strong mathematical foundation through practical tasks, stories, songs, games and imaginative play. We also help children to understand how mathematics can be applied in real life. Having achieved these outcomes, Dr. Naidoo moves the learners onto higher order numeracy developments.
Science and Social Studies Children are enquiring by birth. Every day, they are exposed to a whole range of sights and sounds, which stimulates curiosity in them. What we do here, is help them develop critical knowledge, skills and understanding to make sense of the world around them, and learn from life itself.
Personal, Social and Physical Education To become true leaders, children must learn to strive for success through the all-round development of their personal, social, emotional and physical selves. This provides them with an excellent opportunity to succeed in all areas of learning. Physical development includes activities which develop strength, balance, stamina and co-ordination.
Creative Arts Research has proven that learning the arts helps children experience a unique integration of the body and mind. Hence, we encourage children to indulge in and appreciate different forms of creative expressions like art and craft, music, dance, role play and speech and drama.
