Overview

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Normally children from SOS Children's Villages attend the local kindergartens. However, in countries and regions where pre-school facilities do not already exist or are inadequate, SOS Children's Villages build their own. These kindergartens offer children from both the SOS Children's Village and the local neighbourhood access to early learning and supervised play facilities that would not otherwise be available. The SOS Kindergarten Retalhuleu, Guatemala - Photo: C. Rivera Teaching methods The teaching methods employed, and the games and toys used at SOS Kindergartens are based on the educational theories of Friedrich Fröbel and Maria Montessori, taking due account of the cultural requirements of the country concerned. The emphasis is on the children's natural creativity and allowing them to develop at their own pace. The daily kindergarten programme contains two important parts: free play and activity. During free play, the child can choose what, with whom, how long and where he or she wants to play. This enables them to learn how to decide for themselves, according to their own choice and imagination, without a MUST. Through play, they also learn the necessary rules of community life. The goal of the daily activity time is to familiarise the children with their new environment. Through carefully prepared activities, they learn how to correctly handle materials under the guidance of their educators. Intellectual, emotional and social development are encouraged and behaviour and senses trained. At the SOS Kindergarten Lilongwe, Malawi - Photo: C. Gigleitner Preparing the way to school In addition to regular kindergarten activities, pre-school programmes are provided which are designed to stimulate young children in line with their talents and prepare them for admission to primary school. The focus here is on development through play with regard to social, intellectual and motor skills. Coaching programmes are also available for children with special needs. Qualified staff Great emphasis is given to staff selection and qualifications to ensure that the children are given the best possible care. All applicants are invited for interview and have to take an admission test. This procedure is compulsory and final selection is based on the results of both the test and the interview. Wherever necessary, SOS Children's Villages offers courses for successful applicants, which include theoretical lessons, teaching practice and examinations. Educational advisors are employed as consultants for SOS Kindergartens and run the basic and in-service training for the kindergarten teachers. Continuous training is also provided for kindergarten staff where required. The right environment The availability of suitable classrooms, games and toys ensures that the children are given the optimum conditions for developing their social, intellectual and creative skills. Used for kindergarten classes in the morning, the kindergarten building often serves other groups from the SOS Children's Village in the afternoons, and plays host to a variety of activities.