First Steps
First Steps is an educational program approached to early age development for children between 18 months (about 1 and a half years) to 6 years old by adapting the Montessori Methodology to the schools' curriculum.
This program promotes collaboration, mentorship, and a sense of community among students through specialized teacher training and a multi-sensory curriculum. Montessori emphasizes hands-on learning experiences to help children grasp abstract concepts through concrete experiences.
Many families in Nicaragua face challenges when it comes to education, they are unable to send their children to schools or they do not have who take care of them at home, meanwhile they are working.
Insufficient childcare support can affect children's development and well-being, potentially leading to feelings of guilt and stress for mothers who must balance work and parenting without adequate support.
The First Steps program has a profound impact on the lives of children and their communities. By providing a strong educational foundation and nurturing essential life skills, we aim to break the cycle of limited opportunities and empower children to reach their full potential. Participants witness tangible growth in children's self-esteem, cognitive abilities, and overall readiness for future educational endeavors.
Sparkling Smiles
The Sparkling Smiles program improves oral health by providing accessible dental care services, education, and advocacy. We believe that good oral health is essential for overall well-being and aim to make quality dental healthcare accessible to all, ensuring that our students can access essential dental treatments and check-ups.
We educate parents and students about the importance of proper oral hygiene, regular check-ups, and healthy lifestyle choices to prevent dental issues.
We prioritize the most urgent cases in children to provide them with dental treatment. This prioritization ensures that children in need of immediate attention receive the necessary care to alleviate their suffering and prevent long-term complications in their oral health. We work with specialized pediatric dentists in each of the cities where our schools are located.
Oral health is a critical aspect of overall health. Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, infections, and systemic health issues. By providing dental services, education, and advocacy, we strive to create healthier smiles and improve the quality of life for those we serve.
El Vuelo de la Cometa
In collaboration with the Ismael Cala Foundation, we started the year 2023 with a workshop training for the principals and teachers from the schools. 'El Vuelo de la Cometa' is a Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Program adapted to equip toddlers aged 18 months (about 1 and a half years) to 6 years old with tools to train them in recognizing and managing their emotions.
The program takes students on a journey of self-awareness, self-discovery, and self-esteem through the exploration of talents, personality, strengths, and their areas of genius to unleash their full potential.
Covering 12 topics, including areas such as neuroscience, positive psychology, the value of the here and now, mindfulness, the importance of pausing, being still, as well as looking inward and breathing.
This program results in students who are motivated to learn academically, empathetic towards those around them, learn to build healthy relationships, reduce apathy, become more productive, and develop the drive to work towards their dreams.
Understanding the realm of emotions, identifying paradigms, change management, values communication, and self-leadership are part of the transformation process.
To conclude this year in 2023, we hope that the teachers and students who have participated in the program have become more respectful. Peer-to-peer and teacher violence has decreased, and they exhibit hope, a sense of achievement, and the ability to find happiness in their everyday lives. Their academic grades have improved, and completing their studies has become a goal for them.
