The language of instruction in our kindergarten is English. Kilittaşı Schools believes in the importance of early learning. Therefore, we aim to provide our students with a learning environment appropriate to their development in order to encourage lifelong learning. At our school, students learn to be part of a loving community while enjoying fun activities at school. In addition, our kindergarten students have the advantage of gaining problem-solving skills, developing their creativity, building their self-esteem, and being in an environment where collaborative learning is at the forefront.

English Language Arts (ELA)

English Language Arts (ELA) is the study and development of language arts. The foundations of learning in language arts are as important as other curriculum areas for the child's social and emotional development. The skills learned through language arts are important in themselves and are necessary for success in other areas of study and in life outside of school. At our school, we constantly explore different ways of meaningfully conveying spoken and written language to children. We aim to instill in children a love of reading that will stay with them in the years to come and to help them understand the purpose of reading in their daily lives.

Reading and Writing

During early speech and language development, children learn the fundamental skills necessary to develop literacy skills. For example, long before children start primary school, they recognize writing visually (photographic memory) through line work, learn letters, and interact. Over time, children combine what they know about line work and written images and become ready to learn to read and write. Holding the pencil correctly, using the page from top to bottom and left to right are elements that will help students write properly. They also learn the letters in the alphabet, their sounds, and how each letter is written.

Phonics

Phonics instruction helps the reader match sounds. This skill enables readers to decode words and develops one aspect of word recognition. Since alphabet letters are used to represent sounds in the English language, children need to learn letter-sound relationships. Learning specific phonics rules helps children find new words based on the words they know. They also learn the sounds each letter makes and how a change in letter order changes the meaning of the word.

Mathematics

It is important for our children to have enriched mathematical experiences that support the natural development of mathematical skills and encourage further exploration of the subject through experiments, observations, tools, and materials. Numbers are constantly present in kindergarten life and the learning process. Counting tools such as calendars, digital and analog clocks, calculators, beads, stones, and reeds support addition, subtraction, and counting operations. Number concept is important for success in mathematics. Our children develop an understanding of how numbers relate to each other, how numbers come together and separate, and an intuitive understanding of the number system. By grouping and categorizing objects, they explain and expand simple patterns. Our children discover simple measurements using non-standard units. For example, they analyze classifying objects in terms of weight (heavy/light), capacity (more/less quantity), and length (long/short). Through these analyses, they begin to use rulers and standard units of measurement. They understand time concepts at a basic level and use graphs for data collection, analysis, and presentation.

Science

In kindergarten, our children are introduced to the scientific research process. Our kindergarten learning environment is full of many opportunities for children to examine, question, and research. This environment, surrounded by various materials, allows children to explore the world with observable physical evidence. They can record their observations about their environment and prepare detailed theories. We believe that kindergarten students are natural explorers who learn by participating in meaningful real-life experiences. Therefore, our classrooms are equipped with incentives that will enable children to think creatively and solve problems.

Second Language: French – A Gateway to a Strong Future

At Kilittaşı Schools, our students begin learning by being naturally exposed to English through a native language approach from kindergarten. This strong foundation prepares our children not only for primary school but also for an international future.

From the age of four, our students are introduced to French as a second foreign language. French education, which continues with enjoyable and age-appropriate methods during primary school years, is strengthened with a French-intensive program in the 5th grade. Through this special program, it is aimed that our students can speak French with confidence by the end of the year.

Kilittaşı Schools is also an official DELF-DALF exam center. Our students participate in these international exams administered by the French Ministry of Education and document their French proficiency with a globally valid diploma. Thus, our parents can track their children's language development with a concrete and reliable criterion.

One of the most exciting steps of the program is the France educational trip organized every year in the spring. Our students go to France with their teachers, have the opportunity to use the language in real life, gain self-confidence, and experience a different culture firsthand. This experience is a great source of motivation for our children to realize the French they have learned and to use the language with pleasure.

At Kilittaşı Schools, French is not just a lesson; it is an experience that is lived, documented, and carried into the future.

Holistic and Inquiry-Based Learning Approach

Kilittaşı Schools adopts a holistic educational approach and focuses not only on students' cognitive development but also on their physical, personal, social, and emotional development. This holistic approach provides opportunities for students to interact with their natural environment. In addition to these interactions, we also provide our students with opportunities to observe nature and respect their environment.

Developing the social and emotional skills of our kindergarten students is our top priority. During school days, through indoor and outdoor activities, students are nurtured in an environment where they can collaborate with their teachers and classmates to inquire and learn.

Music

Our music lessons develop abilities such as complex thinking, effective communication, aesthetic awareness, collaboration skills, and taking responsibility in our students. These skills are valuable components of a confident child. Our students are introduced to music by singing and experiencing various instruments. They learn to keep rhythm and the difference between high and low sounds. They recognize the artistic, cultural, scientific, and mathematical foundations of music. By singing, as part of the kindergarten choir, in groups and together with others, they have the opportunity to recognize and develop their voices. Our children also discover musical instruments individually and in groups.

Skills and Coordination

Our kindergarten physical education program ensures understanding of attitudes and skills that will enable each student to develop a lifestyle that includes regular physical activity. The balance between psychomotor, cognitive, and emotional areas supports the overall development of our children. Basic movement skills, body management, movement concepts, and developmental games are included in our lesson content with our expert instructors. Our children discover rhythm and rhythmic activities, health and fitness principles. Team sports, personalized education, collaboration, and team building activities are carried out.