An inventive, curious, eloquent, and thoughtful child who is eager to learn thrives at the "House of Stories" kindergarten.
Why do we play and what is Narrative play and learning?
By playing with the characters in the stories, the child learns to manage emotions and engage in problem-solving. This lays the foundation for creative, critical, and abstract thinking.
Narrative play is a contemporary approach to early education developed by scientists. It maintains a balance between play and learning in early childhood. The characters from children’s books, engaging storylines, and playful challenges all capture a child’s curiosity and sense of wonder, encouraging them to explore literacy, planning, values, and other intricate subjects in an enjoyable and meaningful manner.
What else makes us special?
- We quickly notice the needs of each child.
- We focus on the gradual adaptation of the child and the family.
- We specialize in special education and atypical development.
- We teach children to recognize feelings through the emotional intelligence program “Kimochis”.
- We adhere to the principles of the “Reggio Emilia” pedagogical philosophy. We value nature, sustainability, and citizenship.
Educational values of the private kindergarten "House of Stories"
Playfulness
Play is a child's first language, so we look at play through the eyes of researchers. Educators are trained to observe children's play and assess their development using specific criteria. Kindergarten adults engage in play, humor, improvisation, and acting. We uphold the importance of children's play culture and embrace unconventional and innovative learning methods, such as Narrative play.
Sense of wonder
In the future, adults will need to be able to choose and create, ask questions, and never stop learning. In our kindergarten, children choose activities of their own free will. We foster curiosity and wonder in a playful manner through experiential provocations. By exploring children's books, their authors, and the library, we introduce literacy, helping children develop a love for and appreciation of books. We create our own book every year. Engaging in community projects during our outings from the nursery offers numerous adventures and opportunities for discovery.
Tolerance
We raise children based on democratic principles. Valuing differences and fostering strong character are central to our emotional intelligence program. The community adheres to the rules of positive communication. We enhance children's speech through sessions with a speech therapist. Our kindergarten curriculum incorporates meditation and mindfulness activities to promote tolerance towards emotional challenges.
Freedom
We are open and civil. We are proud of Lithuania. We can make mistakes, but we try again, think critically, and solve problems of various sizes together with children. The established Art Atelier provides freedom for creativity, the freedom to choose tools, and the freedom to understand oneself and one's feelings. Adults observe and listen to understand where the child is at the moment, so they can inspire him for further discoveries.
Creativity
We are inspired by modern educational philosophies and do not adhere to stereotypes. Each year, we develop a long-term Project of the Year and host an exhibition of our work. Our approach focuses on continuous learning that aligns with each child's pace, giving meaning to their activities. Our educational program integrates Narrative play, field trips, and activities that enhance educational and emotional intelligence. This ensures a diverse, fun, and creative learning experience for the children.
Responsibility
Responsible in the family, kindergarten, community, and the world. We ensure that children feel empowered to take action and contribute to solving important problems. Children, especially preschoolers, do not shy away from challenges when it is necessary to show responsibility, citizenship, environmental awareness, and overcome personal obstacles.
Empathy
The experience of a childlike and emotionally expressive childhood, young thoughts, and children's theories are fascinating and worthy of attention. By documenting children's conversations and noting their choices, we can better empathize with important topics for children, create, and learn together with them. Understanding and engaging with emotional characters broadens children's perspectives and assists them in coping with everyday concerns.
Cooperation
We value close relationships and consider ourselves a second home. "Kindervibe" and "Hophop" applications help parents stay connected with the daily life at the kindergarten. The kindergarten frequently hosts visits from professionals and additional educators. Parents are also invited to seminars within the community. We incorporate outdoor pedagogy by using fairy tales through Nordplus, a project involving educators from Scandinavia and the Baltic countries called "The Magic of Outdoor Learning".
Desire for learning
Our team is open to innovation, unafraid of mistakes, and quickly adapts to situations or changes. Kindergarten teachers are known for their professionalism and teamwork. We actively seek new knowledge in the field of early childhood education. We collaborate with universities in Kaunas and Vilnius. Our focus is on developing and promoting the Narrative Play methodology in Lithuania and internationally.
Founder and Visionary
Giedrė Sujetaitė-Volungevičienė (D.Phil.) is the founder and visionary of our kindergarten.
After a BA in Psychology, she deepened her expertise in early childhood education at Oxford Brookes University (UK) and successfully defended her doctoral thesis, which was grounded in extensive research on children's play and emotional development.
The educators working in the kindergarten are constantly learning about play and research-based methods for early childhood education.
Prices
Location and environment
The environment of the kindergarten is designed and regularly updated according to the modern educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia. Group spaces are periodically changed by creating new play stations.
We choose colors inspired by nature. We avoid plastic and opt for practical, safe educational tools. The kindergarten environment is kept simple and uncluttered for the children. Additionally, the kindergarten is proud to have a large and spacious yard.
Kindergarten “House of Stories” is located in Kaunas, at P. Lukšio st. 55, near the expansive Kalniečiai Park.