Introduction
Our Kifissia's International school is located in the northern suburbs of Athens, with large outdoor play spaces.
The main building houses our toddlers and preschool rooms,with one entire floor given to each age group.
The tall windows ensure natural light all day.
The nursery opens to a huge garden,divided into themed areas for natural play and gardening, turf and sports.
Our lesson plans provide fun challenges that help children to understand how things work.
Kifissia's International kindergarten and nursery is a 3,000sq ft. centre that can inspire a "unique" child
By following the teaching method of Reggio Emilia we have created an environment that sparks inquisitiveness throughout all stages of learning and development
Our philosophy
At KIS learning and development is approached with a holistic and child-led focus. We provide opportunities for our little ones to explore nature, art, the world around them in in deep and meaningful ways. We acknowledge our children as capable, strong individuals who have their own unique way of being expressive. We value creativity, imagination and curiosity. We encourage children to think and to wonder.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality, authentic child-led education in a dual language environment that encourages children to learn beyond the standards in meaningful ways.
Kifissia's International School is located in the northern suburbs of Athens, in a garden of 2,500 square meters. With bright open spaces inside, and a beautiful natural environment outside, the children of KIS thrive under the guidance of our qualified, friendly and loving staff. The exterior is surrounded by beautiful trees, and lots of green outdoor space to play, where our children can safely play and explore.
We Offer
••Educational experiences in both Greek and English
••Half day and full day options, to best meet each child's needs
••A multi-cultural and inclusive learning community
••Quality time outdoors
••Holistic approaches to academics and development
••Interactive learning environments
The areas that Kifissia's International School Bus service cover are: Agios Stefanos, Anixi, Dionysos, Drosia, Ekali, Erythrea, Kefalari, Kifissia, Lykovrysi, Maroussi, Melissia, Nea Penteli, Politia,with private school buses.
Reggio inspired
BILINGUAL EDUCATION
Our philosophy
NOTHING WITHOUT JOY’
The Reggio Approach
The Reggio Approach derives its name from its place of origin, Reggio Emilia, a city located in Emilia Romagna in Northern Italy.
In 1945 after the Second World War, a group of parents built their own school.
Loris Malaguzzi a teacher was inspired by the parent’s motivation and joined forces with the parents to provide childcare for young children.
The Reggio Approach is a complex system; Loris Malaguzzi based his philosophy on the work of Piaget, Dewey, Vygotsky and Erikson.
This led to the schools having a distinct style and approach.
It is a system that values: the role of collaboration among children, teachers and parents; the co-construction of knowledge; the interdependence of individual and social learning; and the role of culture in understanding this interdependence.
At the heart of this system is the powerful image of the child.
Reggio educators do not see children as empty vessels that require filling with facts.
Rather they see children as competent and capable of building their own theories.
Tell me .........,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,....,,,,,,, I'll forget!
Show me ...................................... I may remember!
But involve me .............. and I'll understand!
«Our own task ... is to help children climb their own mountains as high as possible!!!»
The differences between Reggio inspired schools and other standard schools
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STANDARD SCHOOLS focus on, ordered, linear, historical, predetermined, methodical, rigid, structured, expected, and predictable.
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REGGIO INSPIRED SCHOOLS focus is group-centered, cooperative, social, open-ended, an expressive process, new age, flexible, spontaneous, freely expressive.
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· STANDARD SCHOOLS have a pre-determined curriculum and materials set up by the teacher. The teachers pass on knowledge that they want the children to know leaving no room for problem solving and research.
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REGGIO-INSPIRED learning is determined by the children and teachers in collaboration, in a co-learning context with the ideas flowing between children and teachers. This is an expressive approach which encourages problem solving and research.
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· STANDARD SCHOOLS classroom walls traditionally just have each child’s final product hanging on the wall. Materials are hidden away which projects a sense of restriction to free expression and research.
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A REGGIO INSPIRED SCHOOLS classroom walls are filled with documents of the children’s explorations and experiences, conversations and visual expressions. The learning process is documented not just the final product as the process is valued more than the outcome. The walls are used as a tool of reflection and revisiting by the children, parents and teachers. All materials are in view for each child to use when desired to encourage free expression.
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· Many STANDARD SCHOOLS do not priorities the visual arts of clay, paint, collage, drawing, and the verbal arts of music, dance, movement, and drama. They are seen as just activites and hobbies.
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REGGIO INSPIRED SCHOOLS, see the arts as the language children communicate with, allowing children to have a vehicle for expression and development.
2 -Year Old Preschool Class
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Kifissia's International School teachers facilitate learning using experiential activities in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our creative approach to child education encourages children's ability and innate curiosity in an environment rich in exploration and discovery
It is a pleasant and exciting experience where teaching and learning are guided by the needs and interests of our children.
3 -Year Old Preschool Class
KIS works closely with parents and creates curricula from children's own interests and immerses them in the joys of discovery.
KIS's innovative curriculum closely monitors the developmental stages of early childhood, with the aim of fostering lifelong learning.
Each school year includes an educational program based on the previous year in developmental ways.
Transitional Kindergarten Class
In KIS, learning is a developmental process of breadth and depth.
Children are given opportunities and challenges for self-directed research and collaboration with their peers.
The aim is to teach children how to think, not think, to enrich their experiences with emphasis on learning as they prepare to be active citizens with responsibility for society and the world.
«Education is changing within the 21st century, learners are seen as active partners who enjoy their own learning.
The line between traditional teaching has been shifted towards a focus on learning to learn, schools need to light sparks rather than fill empty vessels.
Here at KIS we aim to extended services that embrace the winder community where new educational relationships will develop.
Learners will build personal, learning and thinking skills, confidence and independence in a natural and
safe interactive environment. ".
