PRESCHOOL PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH

Our educational approach naturally integrates both English and German into everyday school life. Both languages are incorporated into lessons, projects, and daily activities, allowing children to experience language in a variety of contexts and develop their communication skills in a natural and age-appropriate way.

Project-based learning is an important part of our Preschool programme. Children explore different topics through engaging projects that bring both languages together. Playful learning, hands-on experiences, creativity, and collaborative discovery are at the heart of our approach.

Our goal is to prepare children for a successful transition to Grade 1 by supporting their development as a whole. We focus particularly on the following areas:

Social and Emotional Development

Building independence, self-confidence, empathy, cooperation, and respectful relationships with others.

Everyday Skills and Independence

Developing responsibility, confidence in daily school routines, and age-appropriate independence.

Language Development

Building and expanding communication skills in both English and German while encouraging a love of language, stories, and communication.

Physical and Motor Development

Supporting gross and fine motor skills, coordination, movement, and body awareness.

Cognitive Development

Developing concentration, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and curiosity as a foundation for future learning.

Project-Based Learning

Teachers select engaging, age-appropriate themes that reflect children’s interests and encourage exploration in both English and German. Through these projects, children learn by exploring, asking questions, experimenting, creating, and working together.

Projects connect different areas of learning, including literacy, mathematics, science, art, and social learning, helping children make meaningful connections between what they learn and the world around them.

Our Preschool Teachers

Class Teacher

Marcela Peuser

My name is Marcela Peuser. As an educator, I bridge academic expertise with international classroom experience.

I hold a degree in Educational Sciences (specializing in Early Childhood Education and Multilingualism) from Goethe University Frankfurt. Originally from Brazil, I am a qualified primary school teacher and a certified Montessori educator for children aged 0 to 12, bringing years of international experience to my teaching.

A cornerstone of my pedagogical approach is STEM education. Trained by the "Haus der kleinen Forscher" in Darmstadt, I make science tangible, engaging, and exciting for young minds.

Fluent in German, Portuguese, Spanish, and English, I am dedicated to nurturing children’s natural curiosity, supporting their cognitive and linguistic growth, and guiding them to become confident, open-minded, and inquisitive individuals.

Class Teacher

Cristina Palomo

Hello, my name is Cristina and I come from Seville, Spain.

I am a child psychologist and teacher with extensive experience in international education.

After working in international schools in Spain and Finland, I joined the Amelia Earhart School team in September 2021.

Fluent in Spanish, English, and Finnish, I enjoy working in multicultural and multilingual learning environments.

My goal is to support children in their emotional, social, and personal development. I am passionate about helping them understand their emotions, build self-confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive both in school and in everyday life.

I believe that children learn best when they feel valued, supported, and encouraged to be themselves.

Class Teacher

Johan Gomez

Hello, my name is Johan Gomez Fuchslocher and I come from Chile.

I moved to Germany in 2012 and have been living here ever since. I hold a degree in Physical Education as well as a Bachelor's degree in Educational Sciences from Universidad Santo Tomás.

Being fluent in Spanish and German and having a strong command of English, I enjoy working in an international and multilingual school environment.

My passion lies in promoting movement, health, and well-being. I enjoy encouraging children to stay active, develop confidence through physical activity, and discover the joy of teamwork and sports.

In addition to education, I have a strong interest in photography and enjoy capturing special moments both in and outside the classroom.

Immersion Teacher

Keyon Spence

Hello, my name is Keyon and I come from Brooklyn, New York.

I completed my teacher training in the United States and Germany and have a strong passion for working with young children.

As the English Immersion Teacher and Sports Teacher for both preschool groups, I create engaging learning experiences through language, movement, and play.

My goal is to help children develop confidence in using English naturally in their daily lives while also building self-confidence through physical activity and positive social interactions.

I believe children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them.

Language integration

Throughout each project, both English and German are naturally integrated into different learning areas and activities. Children experience both languages in a variety of contexts and are encouraged to use them as they explore, communicate, and learn together.

Child-led exploration

Children are encouraged to ask questions, share their ideas, and actively explore different topics. Teachers support the learning process by providing materials, offering guidance, and asking open-ended questions. This approach encourages curiosity, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Hands-On Learning

Children learn through practical, age-appropriate activities connected to each project theme. These may include experiments, creative activities, sensory experiences, role-play, outdoor exploration, and collaborative group projects.

Projects encourage collaboration and teamwork among preschool children. By working together, children learn to solve problems, share ideas, make decisions, and develop creative solutions. Collaboration strengthens social and emotional development, enhances communication skills, and helps build a positive sense of community within the group.

Collaborative Learning

Documentation and reflection

Teachers document children’s learning experiences and progress throughout each project through photographs, creative work, and observations. Children are also encouraged to reflect on their experiences, talk about what they have learned, and share their discoveries with others.