English Learning

The English language course for kindergarten is now part of compulsory education. Specifically, our students at Mikros Maestros Kindergarten attend a more specialized English program three times a week. However, this is not a traditional vocabulary and grammar course, as the children are still in the preschool stage. Instead, it is a program designed to introduce young children to a foreign language through the CLIL system (Content and Language Integrated Learning), which combines language learning with subject-based content.

Early foreign language learning promotes acceptance and understanding of different cultures, fosters a positive attitude toward foreign languages, and supports cognitive development.

During the lessons, children engage in games, songs, crafts, and the use of technology (interactive whiteboards)—all of which help them familiarize themselves with the English language in a fun yet effective way that enhances learning.

We approach English learning with sensitivity and care, without overwhelming children by “throwing them in at the deep end” with excessive lessons at such a young age. Instead, knowledge is introduced gradually and engagingly. Our main goal is to foster familiarity and a love for the English language.

Writing, Reading, and Oral Expression!

Oral Communication – Language at the Kindergarten “Mikros Maestros” in Thessaloniki is interrelated with all activities and primarily enhanced by writing and reading. The aim of Oral Communication is for the child to practice spoken language daily, enabling them to describe, justify, narrate, argue, and engage in dialogue with their classmates and educator. Children express their opinions freely and present their views while always respecting the rules of dialogue and discussion. Additionally, they practice memorizing small texts and poems, enhancing their spoken language.

Regarding reading, our goal is for children to recognize familiar words, letters, and syllables, and to be encouraged to read through a rich written language environment (reference boards, lending library, and interactive whiteboard). By the end of the school year, we aim for the children to understand the reading process and be able to read words without anxiety or pressure.

As for writing, children develop the fine motor skills of their fingers through a wide range of tasks and appropriate actions and books, carefully selected at the beginning of the school year. The goal is for them to learn to form lines (curved and straight), which will later help them in forming letters and words.

Introduction to Numbers for Children!

In order to master the concept of mathematics, our primary goal at the Mikros Maestros Private Kindergarten in Oreokastro, Thessaloniki is to help children first understand pre-mathematical concepts such as grouping, classification, categorization, and spatial-temporal relationships (high/low, small/large, inside/outside, heavy/light, left/right/center, shapes, etc.). Familiarity with these concepts will help them develop their mathematical skills, enhance their mathematical thinking, and begin their introduction to numbers.

Then, through processes like comparisons, classifications, and sequencing, children learn the numbers from 1 to 20 and use arbitrary or conventional units to count, so that later they can perform simple mathematical operations (additions – subtractions). All of the above are taught by our qualified educators, and through educational books suitable for their age, which we work on throughout the year.

Music Education, Dramatic Art, and Artistic Activities!

In the area of Expression and Creation at the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten in Thessaloniki, we aim for the child to come into contact with and develop skills in Music Education, Dramatic Art, Visual Arts, and Physical Education.

In Music Education, daily lessons are held with a specialized music educator and enhanced with musical instruments. After all, a school named Mikros Maestros couldn’t be without music education. Our goal is to develop musical awareness, acquire musical skills, and provide entertainment.

In Dramatic Art, we include Puppet Theater, Theatrical Play, and Dramatization. Mikros Maestros understands the beneficial effects of this art on children, which is why we regularly organize visits to theatrical performances in our city’s theaters, as well as unique events starring the children themselves. The goal is for the children to develop their creativity, aesthetic perception, to acquire theatrical education, and finally, to showcase their abilities and talents.

In Visual Arts, our goal is to cultivate an interest in artistic activities and crafts, experiment with different materials and techniques, and expose them to the works and life of great painters through educational visits to art galleries, so they can perceive art as a means of expression and communication.

In Physical Education, the goal is to harness the natural energy of children for their physical, social, emotional, and mental development. We place great emphasis on exercising body parts, coordination, learning a healthy lifestyle through gymnastics, and self-expression through dance. The specialized educators at the sports academy, through appropriate activities and movement games, teach children to follow rules and understand the value of cooperation and mutual acceptance, while they are also introduced to various sports, gain new stimuli, and develop new talents.

Explore, Learn, Experiment, and Study the Environment!

Environmental Studies is a broad concept with a wide range of topics, including subjects like Culture, Geography, Biology, History, Civic Education, Health Education, and more, which are adapted to each theme we explore. Children at the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten in Thessaloniki explore, learn, and discover how to interpret the general elements of the world around them, become sensitive to the protection of the environment, explore their knowledge of living organisms, and discover the basic characteristics of the structure and properties of materials.

The topics are presented to children through rich audio-visual material, encyclopedias, school books, the use of educational learning tools, and through visits and excursions that are organized monthly to museums, farms, planetariums, zoological gardens, fire stations, American Agricultural School, and more.

Our goal is, through observation and exploration, to help children enrich their knowledge and reinforce the information of each topic. After all, our basic belief is that children primarily absorb things and information when they have the opportunity to experience them.

Children’s Interaction with Computers and Interactive Whiteboards!

At the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten in Thessaloniki, our goal is for children to engage with new technologies, understand the importance of multimedia, and the facilitation they offer, while also learning the acceptable limits of their use.

In this regard, we would like to mention that the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten is equipped with interactive whiteboards (smart boards), learning tools for all academic subjects, connected to computers. This setup allows the children to watch educational programs, write, solve exercises, and play various games every day. Children become familiar with using it, understand its applications’ capabilities, and use it as a valuable learning tool, which is beneficial for our ever-evolving society in terms of new technologies.

A key element we cultivate at the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten is the proper use of these new technologies. It is very important for children, after their initial exposure, to be nurtured from a young age in engaging with them in a meaningful and qualitative way.

Music Education in Kindergarten: Introduction to Music and the Arts!

At the Mikros Maestros Kindergarten in Thessaloniki, children have already acquired a lot of foundational knowledge through music. According to the Integrated Interdisciplinary Curriculum Framework for Kindergarten, all activities are developed with the contribution of music. Music aims at cultivating aesthetic ability and sensitivity, understanding pleasure, and unlocking creative potential (Curriculum). Through pleasure, relaxation, and familiarity, children easily understand the learning goals aligned with the kindergarten curriculum. Specifically, learning music contributes to all the following subjects that are part of the kindergarten’s program:

• Mathematics and Music:
Children learn to classify traditional musical instruments into wind, percussion, and string instruments. They also graphically represent the concept of pitch (high/low) and measure rhythms.

• Oral Communication and Music:
Children learn to seek information about instruments, recognize their names from pictures, describe and justify the playing of musical instruments, and stabilize their voice in traditional songs.

• Writing and Music:
Through music, children’s writing skills are enhanced as they learn to write the names of musical instruments and types of songs, categorizing them into cards or categories.

• Geography and Music:
In the field of geographical knowledge, music provides an enjoyable “tone” as children learn about the customs and traditions of their own and other cultures. They develop the ability to recognize where specific sounds and songs come from and locate them on both the Greek and world maps.

• Natural Sciences and Music:
The presence of music education in the field of natural sciences is particularly important. By combining these subjects, children learn to recognize the source and direction of sound and distinguish musical instruments by their timbre. They become familiar with the sound, timbre, pitch, and speed of music.

• Biology and Music:
Children expand their knowledge of animal organisms, their characteristics, their sounds, and the importance of breathing when playing wind instruments.

• Dramatic Art and Music:
Music and drama are two inseparable concepts. Our kindergarten students have the opportunity to express themselves through improvisation and mimicry, dramatizing a folk song, developing their imagination and creativity, and also expressing riddles and tongue twisters with rhythmic movements.

• Visual Arts and Music:
Through music lessons, children express the feelings evoked by listening to songs using colors. They create collages and draw traditional musical instruments.

• Physical Education and Music:
Movement and music go hand in hand. Children become familiar with the concept of rhythm.

• Informatics and Music:
Music is taught through technology and interactive whiteboards. Music games and design tools are used through the interactive board.

Teaching music in this way is an innovation in the educational program of Mikros Maestros, as children not only become familiar with music, but also engage with concepts from other learning areas, realizing the unity of knowledge and the world of science and culture.

Additionally, in the preschool section, we work on first-level music theory through Nakas’ book “First Ask the Note.” Children learn note values and time signatures in first music theory.

However, the most important thing is that students at Mikros Maestros, from a very young age, are introduced to the magical world of music, gaining comprehensive sensory development, such as eye-hand coordination, movement, rhythm, instruments, and dance.

Skills Workshops

The educational program at Mikros Maestros Kindergarten is fully updated and follows the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. We have incorporated modern teaching methods, including the Skills Workshops.

The Skills Workshops are an innovative, dynamic, pedagogical educational activity, which involves adding new thematic units focusing on skills, utilizing modern and innovative learning methods.

A core principle of the Skills Workshops is to combine the cognitive domain of the curriculum with the development of essential student abilities to shape them into independent and responsible citizens.

The goal of our new program, through the skills cycles, is to cultivate and enhance the skills of children both on a daily basis and focusing on technology, as well as life and cognitive skills.

Specifically, during the pilot actions implemented in our kindergarten, children’s critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, self-care, and responsibility are nurtured, along with many life skills. Later in the program, we introduce technology skills, enhancing electronic governance literacy, interaction with technological tools, and computer literacy. Finally, we focus on strategic thinking, problem-solving, lateral and computational thinking, as well as thinking routines and reflection, shaping cognitive skills.

Examples of activities we conduct include:

Music and movement activities, crafts, theatrical play, dramatization, organized field trips, use of interactive whiteboards, creating improvised games, etc.

How are the workshops integrated into the daily schedule of Mikros Maestros Kindergarten?

As part of the daily schedule, skills workshops are held once a week. We focus on each thematic cycle for two months. These workshops are conducted in the morning during “organized activities” (teaching hours). Both the goals of the workshops and the monthly program of our kindergarten are based on the D.E.P.P.S. – A.P.S. (Curriculum Framework for Kindergarten).

List of workshops and activity cycles:

The first skills workshop cycle is “Live Better – Well-being,” focusing on HEALTH: Nutrition – Self-care. Our goal is for children to learn how to take care of themselves and love their bodies. Through simple and more complex activities, they will explore the human body and develop affection for it. It is important that they begin familiarizing themselves with their bodies, which can only be achieved through an introduction to the functions of the human body. Finally, through this first cycle, we aim to help children recognize their senses and understand that their senses help them perceive the world around them.

The second skills cycle focuses on the Ecology – Global and Local Natural Heritage theme. The primary goal of the activities in this cycle is to raise awareness in the school community. Concerning environmental issues, we aim to instill ecological awareness in the younger generation through experiential and discovery learning, reinforcing the prevention and protection of our natural environment. Our workshops cover life, learning, and cognitive skills. Specifically, empathy and sensitivity, adaptability, responsibility, organization, creative critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving are developed.

The third skills cycle is based on the theme “Care and Act – Social Awareness and Responsibility.” This program aims for both preschool and pre-kindergarten children to understand that the differences of others are not obstacles, to release negative emotions like fear and aggression, and to realize that all people have a place in this world, which we must strive to make better by combating all forms of racism. Additionally, they will learn to give and appreciate the value of volunteering, contribution, and collaboration through simple actions.

The final skills cycle is called “Create and Innovate – Creative Thinking and Initiative.” It focuses on the units “create, innovate, and venture,” including robotics and STEM/STEAM. The goal of these thematic units is to teach children how to think, rather than what to think. This cycle connects to four different fields: natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The activities are based on experiential study, educational experience, and collaborative learning. Through technological games, children’s creativity, observation skills, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities are enhanced.