It all started with Rahil Hasan joining the 'Stepping Stones Summer Camp' in April 2002. At the end of which, Rahil had presented his parents a wish list of why 'Stepping Stones' was the school for him. His parents, Dr. Suhel Hasan and Aasrien took Rahil out of his earlier school and put him at 'Stepping Stones'. Rahil didn't disappoint.
"It was an overall growth for the child and the family, too," highlights Rahil's mother, Aasrien Hasan. Rahil did very well in school. He not only achieved desirable academic levels but also developed into a very caring and sensitive child. "I think emotionally, mentally, physically, intellectually, he has evolved and grown and it has made us so happy," adds Aasrien. Come June 2003, Rahil will continue in 'Stepping Stones'.
Rahil's development at 'Stepping Stones' happened because he joined at an age when most children are boisterous and enthusiastic, imaginative, with a heavy leaning towards exploration and discovery. Everything they see, touch or hear, throw up questions and they desperately seek answers. Possibly why the most significant aspect at 'Stepping Stones' will be the age group – two and half to three and half years. This means children will have the same level of comprehension and will relate to one another quite easily.
Says Seetha Krishnaraj, "The other obvious difference is in the curriculum. They will have a worksheet either in phonics, logic or maths. The idea is to have children discuss their work with parents who would quiz them and perhaps, guide the child by adding their bit to the concept." Adds Seetha's husband Satish Krishnaraj, a seasoned Software Consultant by profession but now seeped into child education, "Kids in America and not necessarily American kids are able to speak and communicate pretty well. The style of teaching in the US is different from here. For example, it could be as simple as learning to write their name. Teachers shouldn't complete their work. Instead, they should guide them in completing their work. Today, they may write their own names in whatever way they wish and gradually, they'll learn to improvise till they get it right on their own."
The 'Stepping Stones' methodology is based on meaningful and effective beliefs. It's focused on children achieving goals by helping and guiding the kids through creativity and free exploration. Seetha explains how this concept works, "We let the children pick what they want to play with and we guide them how to use it better. Let's say a child picks a puzzle to play with. We'll tell them what the puzzle is all about, show them a little bit and then let them try and fit the pieces in." |
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