Education Program Update - Kanzi Academy Weekly

A great update from the "happenings" at Kanzi Academy last week. We love to share what is going on at the school, how the students are progressing, and demonstrate the uniqueness of the Academy. Enjoy!!

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What a wonderful first week we've all had at The Kanzi Academy (KA)! All of the children and staff team have settled in really well, which has meant the creative juices have already started to flow!

I like to adopt a kinesthetic learning approach at KA, as children of a young age do not need to sit at a desk for hours on end... they are children! So when learning about verbs, (and children are built for verbs!) we get up, go out and physically practice and demonstrate them; running, jumping, eating, laughing, clapping, climbing, etc. Also, if the children are struggling with a concept in maths, I will often have them stand up, walk around and think on the area that they are having difficulty with, while moving - it really helps. We also do this in relaxation too. When the children are having their relaxation session, I talk to them about "all the difficulties they might have met during the week melting away..."

Kanzi Academy Class 2 Classroom

This leads me on nicely to our affirmations. The children have been writing their own affirmations, as well as choosing different ones to go on our "affirmations door". Everyday the children engage in positive through and have a sense of "I can do". Being a NLP Practitioner, I am very aware of the power of positive thought and see its' benefits when working with young children who can easily become frustrated because they think they "don't know how to do...", which rapidly becomes an "I can't do...". This is an unacceptable hurdle which we can learn to jump over effortlessly.

Kanzi Academy affirmations door

We have welcomed Tatio this week, our Maasai Elder. He has come to talk to the children about Maasai lore, which they thoroughly enjoy. Culture and roots are every important. Whether yours or someone else's they are often interesting, intriguing, and educational. more than that perhaps, is the awareness of responsibility and sense of belonging they give us; a vital life-lesson. Tatio will be doing some exciting, practical things with the children, such as painting their faces red, dressing them in traditional clothes, and more more. Pictures to come!

Class 2 have begun talking about Martin Luther King Jr.; an important and historic African without a doubt. We have talking about his works:

"I can change the world with my own two hands.

Make a better place with my own two hands.

Make a kinder place with my own two hands."

The importance of hands!

This has prompted much discussion, as Class 2 are VERY inquisitive. It has also led nicely into our spiritual education and the importance of hands: giving, hugging, touch, helping/kindness, etc. We have come to the conclusion that hands are very important, both practically and symbolically!

It has also been a very physical week! The children had a wonderful time practicing their teamwork on Monday with Philip as they learnt about relay races. This was not only great physical exercise, but taught them about timing, anticipating someone else's moves, how they had to rely on each other and work together. Tuesday we began swimming, which was great fun. Some of the children have never been in a swimming pool before; so confidence building is what is is all about right now. However, some of the children are already able to use a float and get to one side of the pool to the other in their own style! Our horse riding on Wednesday had to be postponed as supplies were being delivered to the stables. This however didn't stop us having a nice walk to go and see the baby rabbits! Friday saw us finish with a little yoga and relaxation.

Student's in the school yard

Finally, the children have not just been creative with their minds... they have made "trees of life" for the wall, learnt about the Kenyan flag, made hand pictures to go with our works from Martin Luther Kind, and much more!

"Trees of Life"

The above photos are snapshots of our week. Please feel free to post any questions, comments, or ideas! They are always gratefully received.

Asante, Sarah.