⸺ From 3 to 5 years old ⸺
Second Cycle of Early Childhood Education
Keinuka project: Pedagogy of trust
Keinuka: learning through play, playing to learn
In the second cycle of Early Childhood Education, Lizarra Ikastola develops the Keinuka pedagogical project, an educational model of its own that places the child at the centre and supports their academic, emotional and personal development.
Our approach is based on a clear idea: every child is the protagonist of their own learning. We trust their abilities and their natural desire to learn, explore and understand the world around them. From this place of trust, we offer safe, rich and stimulating environments where children can act autonomously, experiment, make mistakes and try again.
The child at the centre
Learning emerges through action. Children move according to their interests, manipulate materials, investigate and build knowledge through experience. Play is the foundation of this process: not only as a playful activity, but as the natural way children think, feel, express themselves and relate to their environment.
The playful attitude remains over time, even as interests change: at some moments it may be spinning, at others building, role-playing or exploring. To support this, we provide time, space and appropriate materials, offering a wide range of play opportunities throughout the day.
Spaces that support learning
Learning spaces are organised into microspaces within classrooms and in the psychomotor area. Each microspace is designed with a specific pedagogical intention and offers a variety of materials that encourage exploration, symbolic play, art, experimentation and logical thinking.
These environments foster autonomy, decision-making and holistic development, while respecting individual rhythms and nurturing a love of learning.
The role of the teacher
Within the Keinuka project, the adult’s role is to accompany. Teachers observe, listen and propose challenges suited to each moment, respecting the rhythm of every child. They create the conditions for learning to take place, care for emotional bonds, introduce language —especially Basque— and support both emotional and academic development.
Group activities and projects
Alongside play and autonomous activity, shared learning situations are proposed to work on different areas. In mathematics, we use the Innovamat project, which is based on experiential and hands-on proposals. New concepts are introduced through group workshops, and learning is consolidated and deepened through autonomous work corners.
Oral language in Basque, art, experimentation, board games and other specific materials are also part of daily practice, always in coherence with our pedagogical approach.
A strong foundation for the future
Keinuka aims for children to grow curious, motivated to learn and confident in themselves, in their peers and in the adults who accompany them. From emotional security, play and experience, solid foundations are laid to face future educational stages and life’s challenges with confidence and balance.