There is a school in Bogota that gets behind teaching children to be makers or creators from a preschool age. At Montessori British School, robotics is taught from age 5: a crucial process for this technology-filled century. That is why we interviewed Claudia Díaz, its headmistress, to describe this novel program.
Why start from such an early age?
According to Dr. Montessori's theory, at this stage of their lives, children have an open channel to learn languages. We teach four of them (English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish), with verifiable results in different international exams (Cambridge, Delf, HSK...) and robotics, which we consider as just another language. It is the language of robots. As children develop the ability to program, their minds become more agile and full of nerve connections that will accompany them throughout their lives. The earlier this process is done, the better.
What is actually learned in robotics class?
At Montessori, we are committed not only to students being users of technology, but also its creators. To understand robotics, we teach them to code and program, something that will allow them to be part of the exciting world they will live in as adults. We teach it through STEAM programs, wherein science, art, mathematics, and technology are linked in various teaching materials.
Why are these classes part of the curriculum and not extracurricular?
At Montessori British School, we believe that this is the future, and that all children must learn it with the seriousness of a curricular program. The world’s progress is fast-paced, and the advantages of learning robotics are obvious. I am sure that those who do not have knowledge on this subject will be at a disadvantage compared to those who do, since they will probably have fewer possibilities and less access to universities. In addition, children who know how to program are trained in problem solving and feel more confident in their abilities and empowered in their creative skills, an important asset for them to achieve all the goals they set for themselves throughout their lives.
Where can parents find out about this innovative program?
You can find more information on our school website: www.mbs.edu.co
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