Scoil Réalt na Mara is dedicated to creating a dynamic learning environment that fosters the holistic growth of our students. At the heart of our approach lies Aistear, an Irish term meaning 'journey,' which serves as a guiding framework for early childhood education.
Through Aistear, our students embark on captivating learning expeditions, where they delve into hands-on experiences, explore and experiment in a playful and interactive manner. This immersive journey allows them to discover the wonders of the world around them while nurturing their innate curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
At our school, Aistear plays a pivotal role in nurturing essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, creativity and collaboration. By engaging in imaginative play and meaningful activities, our students lay a solid foundation for their future academic success.
How does Aistear work?
Scoil Réalt na Mara's Aistear program begins with teachers selecting engaging themes like 'Animals', 'Spring', or 'People Who Help Us'. Over several weeks, students from junior and senior infants dive into these themes through playful learning activities carefully crafted by their teachers. Curriculum subjects covered during Aistear include S.E.S.E., S.P.H.E., oral language, reading, writing, math, art, music and drama. Whether it's morning or afternoon sessions, Aistear time is all about exploring, discovering and having fun while fostering the development of confident and competent learners.
Types of play during Aistear include
- Socio-Dramatic Play
- Role Play
- Small-World Play
- Imaginative Play
- Messy play/Sensory Play
- Manipulative Play
- Construction
- Language Games
- Games with Rules
- Creative Play
- Open-ended Play
- Movement Play
- Musical Play