Pedagogical Concept for Nursery alpilou
by Chloe Partrick
The child is at the centre of the pedagogical concept of the nursery. The aim is to promote holistic development and foster learning and creativity in a safe and stimulating environment that is suitable for the ages 3-18 months. The caregivers are not simply sources of information but rather collaborators and facilitators of learning. The nursery allows all infants a hands-on opportunity to engage with toys and materials promoting exploration through play using a combination of open-ended and close-ended materials. Allowing the creativity and curiosity of all infants to flourish. This is a combination of constructivist pedagogy and sociocultural pedagogy.
Montessori-inspired approach
The nursery aligns itself with the core principles of the Montessori approach. Montessori principles can be applied to infants aged 0-18 months through carefully designed environments, responsive caregiving, respecting the individual, and promoting independence. The nursery will be designed with the child’s experience at the forefront, everything children can reach and touch must be appropriate and safe. Having toys and materials low down allows children to explore freely and spend time where they want. Exercising control and choice promotes agency and independence.
Respect within the Montessori approach
All caregivers in the nursery must deeply respect each infant as a unique individual with their own temperament, preferences, and developmental timeline. We acknowledge that even the youngest of infants have individual feelings and needs. Caregivers provide comfort and support in response to infants’ expressions of joy or distress, helping them develop emotional regulation skills and a sense of security.
Inclusivity
The nursery respects and welcomes the cultural and family backgrounds of all infants and where possible, incorporates cultural traditions and languages into daily routines or the environment.
Outdoors
Outdoor play and fresh air are important for the nursery. Daily walks or playing outside is essential.
Pedagogical concept
This pedagogical concept is broken into three age categories 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months. This is because babies change and develop incredibly quickly and the nursery wants to continue to stimulate and engage all infants. The first section of this pedagogical concept is aimed at all infants 0-18 months, the specific sections follow.
All infants 0-18 months old.
Social-emotional development
Responding to all infants with empathy and warmth. Be positive and engaging. Show kindness and patience to help with emotional regulation. Caregivers must become reliable sources of comfort and build trust between them and the infant.
Routine and predictability
Establish a routine and daily rituals that help infants adjust to transitions. The nursery will have a song before nap time for example which will cue the infants that it is time for sleeping. Lunch time for older infants will be at the same time every day and feeding times for babies will remain on a similar schedule as at their home. This will help the infants anticipate daily transitions which should reduce stress.
Language development
Repetitively singing songs and reading books - this will expose infants to the rhythm and cadence of language. Talking, narrating, labelling objects, and describing actions help infants learn vocabulary and context. Combining commands with hand gestures such as ‘come here’ visually and vocally develops infants’ language and understanding. Caregivers will respond to all vocal and gestural communication to show that the infant has agency and is capable of getting attention positively.
Parent interaction
Collaboration with parents will be extremely important, sharing information such as routines, habits, skills, likes and dislikes will help the caregivers establish responsive and accurate care thus building trust. Parents are invited in during pick-up times to see how the infants spend their day. The idea is that the parent being in the nursery environment signals to the infant that this is a safe space. If parents have five minutes to come into the nursery it slows down the leaving process which can ease the transition for the infant. Parents can also take ideas from the nursery and implement them at home to further the connection between nursery and home.
The nursery shares information about the infant throughout the day which helps the parent understand how the child is behaving and feeling in the environment.
Honesty between caregivers and parents is essential and both parties must ensure transparency and take supportive action if necessary.
0-6 months old.
For babies 0-6 months old, the pedagogy primarily revolves around nurturing their development through responsive caregiving, sensory stimulation, and supportive interactions. Here's the pedagogical approach tailored for infants at this age:
Emotional development
This involves sensitive and consistent care to meet infants’ basic needs such as feeding, diapering and comforting. Responding sensitively to the infants will help to build trust between the caregiver and the infant thus helping the infant feel secure, safe, and confident to explore their environment.
Cognitive development by sensory stimulation
The nursery will offer a variety of suitable sensory experiences which will promote cognitive and physical development. Sensory exploration through sight, touch and sounds using colourful toys, safe objects to mouth, and mirror play. Babies can enjoy sensory experiences on their backs on a suitable soft surface or on their tummy for short periods which will help to boost strength and promote physical development.
Physical development
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills from 0-6 months include touching objects, grasping objects, putting objects to mouth, switching objects between hands, and banging objects. Caregivers can encourage fine motor skills by placing suitable objects in their hands or nearby. Objects that make noises or spark curiosity can hold the infants’ attention for longer.
Gross motor skills
Gross motor skills from 0-6 months include lifting the head, rolling over, standing supported, lifting the chest and head while on the stomach and more. Caregivers can physically challenge the infants by placing items just out of a child’s reach to encourage stretching, grasping and movement. The caregiver must be sensitive, appropriate and encouraging.
Language development
Infants will take part in group songs and stories which expose them to language and voice. Babbling with infants one on one with eye contact helps them to understand conversation and take turns to speak. Caregivers will be engaging and encouraging using happy facial expressions to promote confident interactions.
The idea of this pedagogical approach for 0-6 month olds is to create a calm and nurturing environment that is also stimulating and engaging. The aim is to support infants’ growth, development and confidence in the first critical months of life.
6-12 months old.
The pedagogy for this age group includes and builds upon that of the previous age group. Care is still largely focused on nurturing and responding, sensory exploration and supportive interactions.
Cognitive development through play and exploration
Infants should be able to sit up and stand/pull up in this age bracket therefore the sensory and play experiences will need to adapt to the different viewpoints and capabilities of the infant. Sensory exploration through touch, sound, and sight remains at the centre.
Physical development
Fine motor skills
Offer toys and objects that encourage reaching and grasping. Toys that make a noise or are interesting to encourage manipulation.
Gross motor skills
Provide opportunities to encourage rolling, sitting, standing, crawling, and pulling up. Soft play mats help infants understand their bodily awareness safely.
Language development
Linking words with gestures, reading books and singing songs helps language exposure and development. Repeating what the infant says and taking turns to speak builds confidence and shows the infant how the mouth moves.
Social-emotional development
Facilitate social interaction by engaging in simple games such as peek-a-boo. Responding to infants laughing, smiling and copying gestures.
Allowing children to be near each other and to watch other children play and interact with objects can show infants new and different ways of playing. Children of this age group will be able to watch and interact with older children in the setting, this allows them to develop socially.
This pedagogical approach includes and builds upon the approach for 0-6 month olds, still focusing on nurture and responsiveness whilst encouraging further holistic development.
12-18 months old.
This pedagogical approach leans towards independence, curiosity, and emerging language and motor skills. This pedagogical concept builds upon the foundations from 0-12 months. Here’s a tailored pedagogical approach for this age group:
Cognitive development
Open-ended toys, unstructured play, where play has no right or wrong, focusing on exploration and experimentation. Materials that encourage problem-solving, imaginative play, and cause-and-effect toys. Advanced sensory exploration using water, water painting, and mark-making.
Physical development
Fine motor skills
Stacking cups, nesting toys, buttons, knobs, and moving parts. Encourage dexterity and hand movements. This can also flow into feeding where the infant can learn to self-feed.
Gross motor skills
Provide plenty of opportunities for infants to practice physical skills safely, and encourage walking, moving, and climbing. Promote physical activity and coordination.
Language development
Use repetitive basic phrases, stories, songs, and gestures. Be positive when child makes any attempt to communicate, show understanding where possible. Engage in short conversations led by the child.
Social skills
Promote social interaction, playing and engaging with others. Encourage sharing and taking turns where possible. Model positive social behaviours and use gentle guidance to teach empathy.
The pedagogical concept for 12-18 month olds includes and builds upon the concepts for 0-12 month olds. During this age bracket, children are becoming more independent. They are also the oldest in the structure and are physically and mentally more developed than the other children. This should help them gain confidence in their skills and push them to explore everything the nursery has to offer.