It is an early English literacy programme which is the pathway to independent reading using the whole word approach. We lay a strong and successful foundation for reading, writing, speaking and listening
The natural approach is simply the brain process by which a child learns.
We use whole word recognition to facilitate learning. Reading materials are progressively staged and are specially designed to enable the child to decode print.
There are 4 skills to master in English – listening, speaking, reading and writing. There is also the building of self-confidence and social skills so that children in their early years can learn to communicate effectively. All these are covered in a lesson. Children learn to read and write and acquire the other skills through interactive activities in any one lesson.
We highly recommend that a child start at 2.
It would be helpful if you know English.
Children read immediately but the progress depends on the child’s learning ability.
Yes, we place utmost emphasis on the usage of the English language in our centres.
No. Speech plays an important role in reading.
In any native English speaking country, children learn grammar intuitively through reading, listening to stories and participating and singing songs and saying rhymes. This is the most natural and powerful form of learning. Reading is highly promoted; a child reader makes a competent user of the language. Besides this way of learning grammar, at a more advanced stage, the child deals with question forms, singular and plural distinction and noun-verb agreement and so on.
The speed would depend on her age, the frequency of lessons and the retention ability of the child.
If your child is reading well we will then build her up in the area of writing, speaking and listening.
The mechanics of writing starts as soon as the child’s motor skills are good enough for the child to handle the pencil. Prior to this, the child observes how the teacher writes on the worksheet, making marks on paper and this observation is helpful when the child begins his own journey.
The writing journey for the child begins with the very simple tasks of writing a few words to copying longer lines of texts. The child then goes on to responding to elementary questions to more demanding ones in answering comprehension questions. In more advanced work the child goes on to problem-solving and to creating texts.
The child is given ample opportunity to speak and to listen to English at the centre.
Your child will be encouraged to speak during group activities. These include the SMART Board lessons, role-plays, story-time and recitation of poems and rhymes.
They undergo training at the VITAL YEARS Headquarters. They also attend workshops and personal development courses from time to time.
Teachers are required to attend a Refresher’s Course every 2-3 years and whenever there are new developments in the programme.
As often as you can. However, children below 3 years of age are encouraged to attend lessons on a daily basis because they need the frequency of recall and the reinforcement.
That will depend on the number of facilitators in the class.
The teacher-student ratio is 1 : 8.
Children at Stages 1-3 are required to purchase a set of YCCR Readers and Workbooks.
You will be updated on your child’s progress from time to time. However, you may ask for a verbal report at any time.
The report will encompass the child’s general progress in reading, writing, speaking, listening and social behavior.
Yes, we do, at least ONCE a year.