Testimony.....

"...KEYKIDZ values individuality and nurtures strong team spirit. I am a proud KEY team member as at KEYKIDZ the whole is greater than the sum of parts." - Sarah (Staff)

"...Kirti mam is an amazing person to work with....I enjoy every moment of my work at KEYKIDZ." -Vidya (Teacher)

"...a happiness place and nice experience to learn and be with kids." - Sheetal (Teacher)

"...It's been a three year journey for Yash with Kirti and her team. Love it!"- Usha (Parent)

"...I feel very proud to bring my child to KEYKIDZ. ....Love you KEYKIDZ & Kirti Mam." - Parent

"...feels great to see the activities and learning of my son. I appreciate the opportunities given to participate and perform at various times". Siddiqua (Parent)

 Testimony by my Students - Their expressions....fun....engagement!!!

Evidence - Pair & Group Work : Nursery

"Fun Time is when we 'play' together."

Reflection: Certainly pair work is more enjoyable and a better learning opportunity for young children. The only challenge was with few who don't want to change roles!

Reflection: Group work is a delight for children. But, with young children it had to be constantly monitored and coordinated. Most of the time it ended with some children taking maximum turn while some just refusing to contribute. I think a smaller group of three shall be ideal here.

Reflection: Hands on activity engaging children is the best way to not only make learning fun, but to manage the group in a smoother fashion. 

Learning Steps - A Glance.

Here's a glance of the various phases during the learning process:

Action-Reaction : My Innovative Teaching Aids.

Some teaching-learning practices I have implemented in my classes are shared below:

1 Games using Snake & Ladder Mat

During my interactions with young learners I realized that some of our old games could be used to bring out the concepts in an interactive way. One such game is the ‘Snakes & Ladder’. I’ve got a mat size Snakes & Ladder with a big dice to play it. We play it regularly in class.

The same mat is used to bring out the concepts of numbers, zero, counting, addition-subtraction etc. and even for themes like ‘Feeling & Emotions’, ‘Directions’, ‘Ordinals’ etc.

My Reflection: This idea works so well in my classes that I wonder why I didn’t think of it with my children at home! Maths/Numeracy skills could be enhanced in such interesting way using this game, which we had been playing for generations. Yet I never saw or heard of it being used with children in classes. I think the best part with this idea is “…seen it, know it, have it…” feel it gives to children.  They all have seen snakes & ladder and most often play it too. This familiarity ensures instant connect with children. Of course, the huge size and colours work liking an icing on the cake; and learning is enjoyed by kids as eating the cake! Hope this KEY idea will help learners & teachers add the most vital ingredient of ‘FUN’ in their classes.

2. Puzzles and flash cards with pictures from old newspapers/magazines & Use of Egg Cartons/Fruit Trays

The puzzles and flash cards used in class are made with realistic pictures from old newspapers, magazines etc. rather than flash cards normally available with animated images. Young children relate to what they see and find in their environment better. This not only aids in making the learning process closely related to reality, but also helps contribute my bit towards environment. 

My Reflections: I have an eye for scanning each object to see if it could be used in some way in class? This has contributed immensely to my ‘junky cubby’. I then come up with ideas to put these things to use. Egg cartons and fruit trays being used in my classes is one such aid. The best part of it is that it is easily available and costs nothing more than a visit to the vendor; and can be used freely by children without the continuous “…be careful…be careful…” chanting in class.  

Evidence - Work Sheet: My Choices and Emotions (JKG/SKG)

The present generation children are flooded with excesses - excess of choices, excess of materials, excess of attention etc. They are growing with the belief that they can and shall get everything, everytime. Its hard for them to take if they don't get something they want or have to wait for it. This worksheet introduces them to the basic concept that whenever we choose something, we do leave something. 

Reflection: Initially it was hard to make children choose only three things as they all liked more than 3 things and wanted to take all. But, when I encouraged them to think about what they like more and decide. They shared how they felt on getting their favourite things. They also shared how they felt when they had to leave somethings they liked. They were able to accept that its OK if we can't take or get everything we like. We shall enjoy what we have.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2WWF_oE0MCoVFd3WExuMzIzb2M/view?usp=sharing

Children really amuse! JKG children presented the different emotions so beautifully...an effort to make them aware about their feelings and present them.

My learnings with School Coaches Program - in nutshell

My  learnings as a coach....A learner coach!

There has been multitude of learning for me at the school Coaches program. The 5 major learnings which I found to be my biggest  learnings are :

1. Importance of a Teacher Portfolio (...and I thought only models and stars maintain a portfolio!! But, we teachers are the brightest stars.)

2. Correct questioning skills - its importance and effect. Right question can give more answers than I could get from any other means.

3. KWL Sheet - It helps the teachers not only to reflect but also to plan the class more effectively. I now also know that it could be used at preschool level too.

4. Importance of critical and constructive feedback immediately after observation. Earlier I thought observation is enough and feedback might demotivate the other person. Now I know it helps the other person as much it helps the school and children in classes.

5. Joint work in class is in fact more productive. The noise level during this type of working could not be an excuse or deterrent for not using this teaching learning strategy.

I have outlined other aspects learnt during the program in the form of concept map for my ready reference. I am sharing them here:

My Reflections during the program: 

1. The doubts/queries that flashed in my mind: 
a) How far SQ3R helps get the complete understanding of the topic? Will there be enough time to use and also review it in normal routine?
b) How effectively a teacher can use group work with Toddlers and Preschoolers? 
c) How to reject or confront average work and get quality work from others? 
d) How a balance between personal and professional work can be maintained without letting the quality slip down?
e) How could activities like 'Watering Grave', 'Foetus to child' and 'Chinese Whisper' relate/help a coach?

2. The answers I got for myself during the program:
a) I am a natural and warm teacher. 
b) Paraphrasing is not being rude, rather it helps open up the speaker. 
c) It helps to be little slow during conversations.
d) A handy library of energizers shall be readily available and used in class. 
e) I should delegate more and have more time to do what I like.