Le Jardin’s pedagogical approach

• Our increasingly globalized society is placing more and more importance on multilingual capability. The ability to speak more than one language makes it possible for people to connect with the world through words. Because the competent mastery of language(s) is a prerequisite for social participation. Consequently, linguistic development is a key topic within the context of early childhood education.
• The staff of Le Jardin multilinguale Kindereinrichtungen gGmbH originate from different countries and make exclusive use of their native language in their day-to-day interaction with the children.
• Our nurseries, kindergartens and after-school afternoon childcare programs provide their childcare services in the following language combinations: German-English, German-French, German-Spanish using the immersion method.

IMMERSION MODEL

The immersion method enables spontaneous natural language acquisition – the term immersion here refers to a sort of “language bath”. Children dive into multiple languages. This form of learning is unforced and occurs naturally in the course of everyday experience. Right from the outset, everything in the new language is reinforced and clarified through demonstration and images. Their positive experience while dealing playfully with language motivates the children and encourages them to enjoy the learning process.

• Every employee remains consistently in a single language – their own mother tongue – and represents a language role model in verbal and nonverbal communication (tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures).
• The international experience and multicultural influences of our employees play a key role in our continuously evolving conceptual approach and development.

• Le Jardin welcomes people from all countries, and wants to accompany them in the development of intercultural competences. We hold cultural and linguistic variety in high esteem, and see them as an enrichment and a chance to learn.
• Our international team enables us to transmit cultures authentically in an day-to-day dialog with one another.
• Our open-minded attitude toward the world helps the children to learn to take pleasure in discovering similarities and differences. In so doing we transmit values such as equality, tolerance, acceptance and solidarity.
• To our way of thinking, an open-minded attitude toward the world outside also means that we consider the family as a system, so we’re also glad to work on a cross-generational basis. This is reflected in our team’s broad range of ages.

• The plethora of sensory experiences in nature not only represents an enrichment of the child’s living space, but also leads to a more clearly discerning awareness of the body and enhanced self-esteem.
• The children bond with nature and observe the changes of seasons along with the diversity of flora and fauna.
• Children experience and investigate nature with all of their senses and construct knowledge on that foundation.
• At the same time, children develop confidence it their own abilities. Spending time in the woods stimulates the children’s fantasy and creativity and fosters autonomous action.
• Caring for plants and animals imparts awareness and helps the children appreciate nature.
• This essential nature consciousness forms an integral part of our everyday work and is underscored through visits to our gardens and allotment gardens, as well as through excursions to nearby parks and woods.