Latest news with #Montessori-inspired
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Preschool in Coimbatore: SSVM Kids Casa Sparks Scholars, Storytellers, and Stars
Preschool in Coimbatore is no longer just about early learning - it's about laying the foundation for a lifetime of confidence, creativity, and curiosity. At the heart of this transformation is SSVM Kids Casa, one of the best play schools in Coimbatore and a proud initiative of the renowned SSVM Group of Institutions. With a focus on early childhood education that blends Montessori-inspired learning, nature-integrated play, and global pedagogies, SSVM Kids Casa stands out among top international preschools in Coimbatore. It offers an enriching, safe, and joyful environment where children explore, express, and evolve in their formative years. Guided by the visionary leadership of Dr. Manimekalai Mohan, SSVM Kids Casa stands as a shining example of eminence where intellect is shaped, emotions are refined, and social foundations are laid for lifelong learning. Here, every child embarks on a purposeful journey of holistic development, empowered by an environment that cultivates inquisitiveness and limitless potential. An Inspiring Haven for Young Minds The learning environment at SSVM Kids Casa is a harmonious blend of aesthetic brilliance and practical ingenuity, carefully crafted to inspire and develop young minds. Each campus is thoughtfully designed to provide a safe and stimulating space where curiosity thrives and creativity flourishes. Montessori-inspired classrooms encourage self-directed exploration, through hands-on engagement ensuring sensory, cognitive, and motor development. Nature-integrated play zones, featuring eco-friendly landscapes, sensory gardens, and open-air learning spaces, cultivate a deep connection with the natural world while enhancing physical coordination. Complementing these enriching spaces, state-of-the-art learning resources, ranging from interactive smart boards to digital storytelling station, integrate technology, catering to diverse learning styles and assuring future-ready educational experience. A Transformative Curriculum: Cultivating Curiosity, Confidence, and Creativity At SSVM Kids Casa, learning is an immersive experience that ignites curiosity and initiates independent thinking. The meticulously designed curriculum integrates global pedagogies, drawing inspiration from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and inquiry-based learning models creating a dynamic, child-centric framework that balances structured education with joyful exploration. Through play-driven discovery, hands-on experiences, and real-world connections, young learners develop cognitive agility, linguistic fluency, and motor coordination organically. Language and literacy flourish through storytelling, phonics, and interactive discussions, while early numeracy is introduced through engaging pattern recognition and problem-solving activities that make mathematical concepts intuitive and enjoyable. Scientific inquiry comes to life with STEM-based explorations, nature experiments, and cause-and-effect investigations, encouraging children to question, analyse, and innovate. Physical development is equally prioritized, with yoga, movement-based activities, and structured sports refining both gross and fine motor skills while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Social-emotional growth is nurtured through guided peer interactions, cooperative play, and emotional intelligence strategies, ensuring that children cultivate empathy, resilience, and confidence in building meaningful relationships. Creativity thrives through an enriching arts programme encompassing music, dance, drama, and visual arts, allowing children to express themselves while enhancing fine motor skills and imaginative thinking. Multilingual exposure and cultural celebrations broaden cognitive flexibility and global awareness, shaping an inclusive mindset. In this stimulating and supportive environment, both intellectual and emotional well-being are valued, equipping every child with the adaptability, confidence, and essential life skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Our Teachers, Your Child's Champions The success of SSVM Kids Casa is anchored in its team of highly trained and passionate educators who bring innovation, warmth, and expertise to the classroom. Committed to continuous professional development, they stay at the forefront of evolving educational methodologies and child psychology, ensuring an enriching and dynamic approach to teaching. With a student-centric philosophy, they recognize and support each child's unique learning style and pace, ensuring both academic competence and personal growth. More than teachers, they serve as mentors and facilitators, cultivating intellectual curiosity, emotional well-being, and a lifelong love for learning in every young mind. A Strong Partnership with Parents SSVM Kids Casa believes that a child's educational journey is most effective when parents and educators work together. A collaborative home-school approach ensures a smooth transition between structured learning environments and everyday experiences. Regular parent-teacher interactions provide valuable insights into each child's progress, while workshops and seminars equip parents with effective strategies to support their child's development. Engaging family activities further strengthen this bond, encouraging meaningful participation in the learning journey. This collaborative approach creates a nurturing ecosystem where learning extends beyond the classroom, ensuring every child receives consistent guidance, encouragement, and support both at school and at home. A Pathway to Future Eminence A defining strength of SSVM Kids Casa is its ability to prepare children for a smooth move into formal schooling. By instilling independent learning habits, adaptability, and social confidence, children graduate from the preschool programme well-prepared to excel in primary schools in Coimbatore and beyond. As part of the original SSVM Group of Institutions based in Coimbatore, SSVM Kids Casa stands independently distinguished from other institutions using similar acronyms in other parts of India. Locations of Excellence: Find a Kids Casa Near You With campuses strategically located across Bharathi Park, Saibaba Colony, and Mettupalayam Road in Coimbatore, Dharapuram Road in Tiruppur, and Alongombu, Mettupalayam, SSVM Kids Casa provides accessibility without compromising on quality. Each campus upholds the SSVM legacy of educational distinction, offering a safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating environment making them the best play schools in Coimbatore. Forging Futures with Fearless Brilliance At SSVM Kids Casa, childhood is cherished, curiosity is kindled, confidence is cultivated and thereby learning is a joyous adventure. With an education rooted in exploration, engagement, and excellence, young learners embark on a journey where every moment is a step toward self-discovery. The thoughtfully curated curriculum, inspiring learning spaces, and passionate educators ensure that children develop intellectual agility, emotional resilience, and a lifelong love for learning. SSVM Kids Casa empowers every child, with wonder in their eyes and wisdom in their hearts, to dream daringly, think triumphantly, and embrace the ever-evolving world with courage and curiosity. Here, the seeds of scholarship, artistry, and leadership are sown, shaping tomorrow's trendsetters who will illuminate the future with brilliance and boldness. 'This article is part of sponsored content programme.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg started their own schools—but fixing the education system is harder than it looks
The list of billionaire celebrities and founders pouring fortunes into classrooms is growing: Kanye West, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have all sought to shake up schools. Some have even built their own. But it turns out, fixing a deeply flawed system is harder than it looks. If you can name a billionaire, odds are, they've given some of their philanthropic stash to the world of education. Perhaps the most notable are the efforts of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, who have donated billions of dollars to reshape thousands of classrooms with enhanced algebra and professional development. Michael Bloomberg, too, has donated billions through efforts like making medical school free for most students at Johns Hopkins University. Considering education is a gateway to success and opportunity, it's no wonder that the ultra rich find it attractive for their philanthropy, says Fredrick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a policy think tank. However, instead of trying to help fix existing issues with the education system, other billionaires have taken a different avenue with their money: starting their own schools from the ground up. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are both funding new Montessori-inspired preschools that focus on things like self-expression and global discovery. Fellow members of the ultra rich like Mark Zuckerberg, WeWork's Adam Neumann, and Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) have also helped found new schools. But some attempts are becoming more known for the failure of their investments rather than their impact. According to Ben Wallerstein, co-founder and CEO of Whiteboard Advisors, an education consulting firm, education philanthropy is a flawed beast—with no perfect solution. 'Education is a system that's made up of people who are dedicated, passionate, hard working, who collectively and in aggregate, don't achieve the results that they would hope to achieve,' Wallerstein tells Fortune. In 2014, Zuckerberg and his wife helped open an institute called The Primary School to help alleviate the financial pressures of getting a high-quality early education. In total, two tuition-free schools serving low-income elementary and middle school students were opened in California. However, last month, they abruptly announced they would close at the end of the school year. While the reasons for the closure aren't entirely clear, finances appear to be part of the problem. Brooke Koka, a parent and board member of the school, told the San Francisco Chronicle the school had been struggling financially and had struggled to find donors beyond the initial Zuckerberg investment. The school hoped to one day be sustained on public funding. After receiving a request for comment, The Primary School and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative pointed Fortune to the institute's website. 'This was a very difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring a thoughtful and supportive transition for students and families over the next year,' The Primary School said in a posted statement. Zuckerberg, whose net worth is now estimated at $223 billion, has a long history with education philanthropy. In 2010, he went on The Oprah Winfrey Show to announce he was donating $100 million to reform public schools in Newark, New Jersey, with other philanthropists matching his donation for a total of $200 million. However, years later, experts are still divided on the long-term impacts of his gift. One study found that students had seen significant progress in English but no changes in math, and a former Newark mayor called the donation a 'parachute' solution that failed to appropriately engage with local community members. Ye's attempt at education was also ambitious, but short lived. The rapper opened Donda Academy, a private Christian school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, in the fall of 2022. But just months later, the school shut its doors following outrage over a series of his posts on social media that were blasted for being antisemitic. A year later, lawsuits from former teachers alleged that the school inconsistently paid its employees and had serious health and safety issues. For example, one allegation was that because Ye did not 'like glass,' students were left 'exposed to the elements' due to the building's empty window frames. Ye settled one of the lawsuits earlier this year, according to People. Whether it be a new school or major philanthropic donation, Wallerstein says failure is not uncommon. 'I think in some cases what some folks might view as failures actually reflect a degree of situational awareness and self awareness, about, wow, this problem is a lot harder than we thought,' he says. 'Philanthropy is like risk capital. You build things, you test things, you scale things, you see what works, you kill bad ideas,' Wallerstein added. Despite the education system's flaws, change is not always welcome, and outsiders' attempts at innovation can often have unintended consequences. In the early 2010s, business leaders from companies like Exxon Mobil, GE, and Intel backed Common Core educational standards, but quickly found themselves on the wrong side of a rebellion against federal oversight into the classroom. 'It's really easy for well-meaning donors to wind up accidentally politicizing things or making sensible ideas seem like they're being pushed by shadowy outsiders,' Hess says. This story was originally featured on
TTG
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TTG
Why Domes Zeen Chania might just be Crete's coolest secret
Seamlessly combining family-friendly sophistication with laid-back romantic appeal in an enviable location, Domes Zeen Chania is a Cretan escape with enticing new developments for this summer. Overlooking the Aegean sea, just minutes from Chania's vibrant old town, Domes Zeen Chania has something for all ages and offers a rare balance of boho-chic luxury and cultural immersion, making it one of Crete's most versatile five-star stays. With its recent Michelin Key recognition, Montessori-inspired kids' club, and the new Zamana Beach Club, this design-led escape is an ideal option for agents keen to increase bookings in the luxury and family sectors and for repeat visitors to Greece. A new beach scene Fusing Cretan culture with cosmopolitan flair, Zamana Beach Club is new for 2025, bringing a laid-back yet elite coastal hotspot to Chania. Blending in with Domes Zeen Chania's earthy tones and boho-chic design, the space flows from beach bar and daybeds to a restaurant and laid-back lounge open to both resort guests and discerning locals. Here, mindful Mediterranean playlists set the tone for immersive culinary experiences – diners can enjoy Cretan menus infused with subtle Japanese and Mexican influences. This new venue is a great talking point for agents who can highlight it to clients before word gets out. Sell it: Zamana Beach Club is opening soon for the 2025 summer season, so use it to upsell the resort to honeymooners, couples or clients who love a curated beach scene.
Business Mayor
03-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Jeff Bezos to sell up to $4.75bn in Amazon stock
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to sell up to $4.75 billion worth of shares in the ecommerce company over the next 12 months, regulatory filings revealed on Friday. Mr Bezos, who stepped down as Seattle-based tech group's chief executive in mid-2021, will sell up to 25 million shares via an orderly trading plan running through to the end of May 2026. At Thursday's closing price of $190, the stake is worth about $4.75 billion. The trading plan was set up in early March, according to Amazon's latest quarterly filing. The disclosure came hours after Amazon warned on Thursday evening of the impact of Donald Trump's global trade war, forecasting that net sales and operating income could come in below Wall Street's forecasts. Mr Bezos previously offloaded more than $13.4 billion of Amazon stock over the course of 2024, a year in which the company's market cap rose beyond $2 trillion, fuelled by investor excitement over artificial intelligence. The world's second-richest man has gradually shifted his attention away from the ecommerce company he founded in 1994, paying renewed focus on his space venture Blue Origin and US newspaper The Washington Post. Mr Bezos has used Amazon share sales to help finance Blue Origin and is the group's sole shareholder. The company does not disclose financial information but its costs run in excess of $2 billion a year, according to a person familiar with the matter. Revenue from federal contracts fulfil a portion of its costs, with the Amazon founder making up any shortfall. In recent months Mr Bezos has also engaged in a concerted effort to mend his relationship with a US president he once criticised as a 'threat to democracy'. The relationship has since warmed, with Mr Bezos meeting Mr Trump multiple times in the past year and attending his second inauguration alongside his fiancee Lauren Sánchez. Meanwhile, the Amazon founder has instructed The Washington Post to focus more narrowly on personal liberties and free markets. His turn towards Mr Trump has triggered an exodus of talent from the newspaper, which has reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers. As well as offloading huge chunks of Amazon shares, Mr Bezos has sold smaller amounts to finance charitable ventures including the Day One Fund, an educational Montessori-inspired non-profit organisation that he founded. In March, Mr Bezos offloaded roughly $60 million worth of shares to donate to an unnamed non-profit organisation, according to regulatory filings. Mr Bezos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited
Irish Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Jeff Bezos to sell up to $4.75bn in Amazon stock
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to sell up to $4.75 billion worth of shares in the ecommerce company over the next 12 months, regulatory filings revealed on Friday. Mr Bezos, who stepped down as Seattle-based tech group's chief executive in mid-2021, will sell up to 25 million shares via an orderly trading plan running through to the end of May 2026. At Thursday's closing price of $190, the stake is worth about $4.75 billion. The trading plan was set up in early March, according to Amazon's latest quarterly filing. The disclosure came hours after Amazon warned on Thursday evening of the impact of Donald Trump's global trade war, forecasting that net sales and operating income could come in below Wall Street's forecasts. READ MORE Mr Bezos previously offloaded more than $13.4 billion of Amazon stock over the course of 2024, a year in which the company's market cap rose beyond $2 trillion, fuelled by investor excitement over artificial intelligence. The world's second-richest man has gradually shifted his attention away from the ecommerce company he founded in 1994, paying renewed focus on his space venture Blue Origin and US newspaper The Washington Post. Mr Bezos has used Amazon share sales to help finance Blue Origin and is the group's sole shareholder. The company does not disclose financial information but its costs run in excess of $2 billion a year, according to a person familiar with the matter. Revenue from federal contracts fulfil a portion of its costs, with the Amazon founder making up any shortfall. In recent months Mr Bezos has also engaged in a concerted effort to mend his relationship with a US president he once criticised as a 'threat to democracy'. The relationship has since warmed, with Mr Bezos meeting Mr Trump multiple times in the past year and attending his second inauguration alongside his fiancee Lauren Sánchez. Meanwhile, the Amazon founder has instructed The Washington Post to focus more narrowly on personal liberties and free markets. His turn towards Mr Trump has triggered an exodus of talent from the newspaper, which has reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers. As well as offloading huge chunks of Amazon shares, Mr Bezos has sold smaller amounts to finance charitable ventures including the Day One Fund, an educational Montessori-inspired non-profit organisation that he founded. In March, Mr Bezos offloaded roughly $60 million worth of shares to donate to an unnamed non-profit organisation, according to regulatory filings. Mr Bezos did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited
