Written by Kaylene Harper, Sunkids Operations Manager

In 2008 Sunkids Philosophy and Curriculum was founded on the beliefs of three major theorists, these theorists have played an influential role in the Sunkids Curriculum and environments. The theorists are Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. All three approaches view children as active authors of their own development, strongly influenced by natural, dynamic, self-righting forces within themselves, opening the way toward growth and learning.

Implementing Reggio Emilia beliefs is placing significant emphasis on the learning spaces provided for children. We acknowledge that everything in the world is education to young children, and therefore, believe the environment must allow children to engage in activities of their own choosing, spark curiosity and inquiry, invite quiet alone time for reflection as well reflect elements of the real world and honour children’s learning processes.

Maria Montessori’s theory behind the value of play as an early learning tool plays a significant part in childhood, encouraging children to exercise self-direction and independent learning. Children are guided in a positive manner to utilise equipment and resources in a variety of innovative ways. The holistic approach is used to promote and maximise each child’s development in a safe, stimulating, and challenging environment.

The third and final theorist Sunkids Philosophy and Curriculum is based on is Steiner Waldorf following the Steiner Philosophy believes that children learn with their head, heart and hands, this approach focuses on the integrity of the children being creative in the way they learn.

By combining these three theorists we developed an emergent curriculum which describes the kind of curriculum that evolves when exploring something of interest and personally meaningful to children. Capitalising on these teachable moments, brings together the child’s motivation around their interest and the teacher’s knowledge of children’s
development and learning processes. In this way, the curriculum responds to optimal opportunities for learning and honours the children’s input rather than focusing on pre-set themes or topics driven by the teacher.