Our Philosophy

Each child possesses the natural ability to wonder and the desire to learn about the world that surrounds them. We acknowledge and respect that children have the right to wonder using their unique abilities. We nurture that wonder by providing freedom to explore their environment; listening, observing, researching and facilitating.
Our unique curriculum is based on the Multiple Intelligences Theory which focuses on the concept that each child possesses different talents. Based on the individual talents and interests of each child our teachers develop projects that encourage the development of that ability. Parallel to this process, the teachers introduce strategies to discover and nurture new talents that will contribute to the appropriate development of the child.

The Roles of Our Teachers

As this natural process unfolds our entire team of teachers facilitates multiple roles:

  • Teachers as active listeners
    By expressing their ideas, concerns, and interests children are constantly giving us clues on how we can better help them enrich their knowledge.
  • Teachers as trained observers
    We document children’s interest and skills, noticing areas children may need help in. Through these observations teachers identify and help children develop those abilities. Teachers also support and engage children in enriching experiences provided in all areas of the classroom. They also set goals for children to meet their potential based on the New Jersey Board of Education Standards.
  • Teachers as meticulous researchers
    Based on the information we gather during our listening and observation period we immerse ourselves in the process of finding the best resources available to cultivate children’s emergent interests.
  • Teachers as Educators
    Using our research we select the most appropriate ways to share our findings to the main audience of our school: Our children.

What is the Multiple Intelligences Theory?

In the early 1980’s, Dr. Howard Garner professor at Harvard University School of Education conceived the Multiple Intelligences Theory. The theory envisions the human cognitive competence in terms of a set of abilities, talents, or as Gardner himself calls intelligences. All individuals possess these intelligences; what varies is the level in which each of them is developed by each individual person.
The intelligences are the following:intelligences
At Viaquenti preschool, we consider the MI theory as the framework through which we understand children’s capacities. We take into account all 8 intelligences and offer diverse experiences to let children explore and develop in an integrated way. We also observe how these intelligences develop in each child and provide activities to nurture them. Overall, we aim to develop children’s potential in a caring environment.

Brief Definitions of Each Intelligence

  • Interpersonal intelligence: "Denotes a person's capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people, and consequently , to work effectively with others."
  • Intrapersonal intelligence: "Involves the capacity to understand oneself, to have an effective work model of oneself-including one's own desires, fears, and capacities-and to use such information effectively in regulating one's own life."
  • Linguistic intelligence: "Involves sensitivity to spoken and written languages, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use languages to accomplish certain goals."
  • Musical intelligence: "Entails skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns."
  • Logical-Mathematical intelligence: "Involves the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations and investigate issues scientifically."
  • Spatial intelligence: "Features the potential to recognize and manipulate the patterns of wide space (those used, for instance by pilots and navigators), as well as the patterns or more confined areas (such as those of graphic artists, chess players or surgeons)."
  • Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence: "Entails the potential of using one's own body or parts of the body (like the hand or the mouth) to solve problems or fashion products."
  • Naturalist intelligence: "Designates the expertise in the recognition and classification of numerous species-the flora and fauna-of one's own environment. This discrimination can be mobilized among cars, sneakers, and the like."

Source: Little Talentum