MIND-PATH BRAIN STRETCHER
The Mind-Path Brain Stretcher enhances a child’s early learning. It consists of activities that are suitable for children with high ability and beneficial for children at all developmental levels.
Mind-Path Brain Stretcher FAQ
What is Mind-Path Brain Stretcher?
Mind-Path Brain Stretcher is a revolutionary approach to help transform the way young children learn. Through careful research, insightful methodologies and the adoption of new and emerging technologies, this programme is about equipping the young with thinking skills that would help them throughout their lives. This is achieved in a rich learning environment that is involving, interactive and imaginative.
Does it involve critical thinking?
Yes.
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the crucial ability to actually evaluate and analyse something rather than merely accepting it at face value.
Can a very young child think critically?
Yes, they can if they are taught to think in that manner.
What are the benefits of critical thinking for a young child?
Critical thinking is a skill that will serve children well throughout their lives. Since critical thinking is a habit that should be learnt and practiced early in life, it is important to teach children how to do it. As children are naturally inquisitive, it is important to teach this skill during the early years. A good critical thinker tends to learn more quickly, as well as more in depth, as compared to someone with poor critical thinking skills. Therefore, the earlier this skill is learnt, the better the application.
How can this programme benefit a toddler?
Toddlers are often termed as the “terrible twos”. The main problem here is that they are not “terrible” at all. This is in fact the stage they are actually making a huge leap in their thinking skills, as they are now able to use their imagination and develop which helps them build a lot of their own ideas. Being so young, the downside is that they still do not have all the skills or the control over their world based on their ideas. Naturally, this would lead to anger, confusion and frustrations, again, feelings they do not yet know how to manage very well. So they have a lot of breakdowns we call tantrums. Therefore, this programme helps them think critically which in turn would help them gradually cope, thrive and learn.
What kind of materials will be used?
Mostly it would be hands-on interactive activities. Materials would be easily available no-frills stuff so parents can even do similar activities at home.
Will there be worksheets?
No. Children are required to practice thinking with the activities, which would be probed and prompted by instructors based on the detailed lesson plans.
How is the programme presented?
The presentation would be child-centred with handpicked trained instructors who are able to make learning as fun as possible.
How is this programme different from any other programme?
The specialty of this programme apart from helping very young children learn thinking skills is its warm up activity. Every lesson has a warm up portion as an induction and preparation for children for the class activity. Activities are structured specifically for this age group. Another interesting feature is the “challenge” portion, which is meant to stimulate children with higher learning abilities.
How are the teachers trained?
Teachers are trained personally by the programme developer, Dr Sandhu, who is a gifted education specialist and has been researching factors that help the young learn better for over 15 years.
Will they be bringing home worksheets?
No. Rather, children would be bringing home the newly practiced thought process, which would gradually become a habit of the mind. This is crucial for success in formal schooling.
Will there be evaluation?
No formal evaluation would be done but on-going evaluation is on-going while the tasks are performed. Instructors would always take note of the child’s progress.