Imagine my amazement when I heard five-year old children discussing the effects of global warming and how to combat it; seven-year olds debating Indo-Pak issues and coming up with their own solutions to address it!
Their ever-questioning and curious temperament are given wings at I-Leap academy, started by S Singhal and Noopur Kanchan, an after-school programme for children focused on learning and knowledge acquisition.
Noopur Kanchan, a special educator, who runs the I-Leap Mumbai centre says, “I-Leap is essentially a skill-based programme where the focus is on multiple levels of development, and thereby enhancing their performance, their ability to observe, learn and sharpen their intelligence.”
With 12-years of teaching experience in mainstream schools, Noopur realised that focus in most mainstream schools is on content and textbook-learning, and not much thought is spent on application. Her disappointment with the learning system paved the way for I-LEAP Academy which takes that extra step to work on a child’s potential. It started its first institute in Mumbai in 2009 and was soon followed by one in Bangalore.
S Singhal, heading the I-Leap, Bangalore branch says, “We use a combination of various philosophies such as the Montessori method etc. and assimilate the best for our curriculum. Our entire course works on five levels — all aspects of language, concept training, sensory awareness, creativity and mental faculty are honed and sharpened. We encourage children to learn, play and explore and bracket them in an age-appropriate environment. Our special techniques are aimed at stimulating the child’s learning capabilities and hidden potential that does not come to the fore even after attending school.”
I-Leap has no place for textbooks in its curriculum. Having met their quota of textbook studies in school, children look forward to the I-Leap sessions, free from the burden of books and rote learning. They incorporate age-appropriate concepts into their learning and make classroom sessions interesting by weaving in concepts of art, drama, games and projects. This keeps the curiosity and concentration alive in children.
S Singhal explains, “Ours is a skill-based programme. Our aim is to give a platform to children to enhance their talent and polish their skills, to let them explore and let their hidden talent shine. We have an in-depth, year-long programme. And as skills keep getting complicated and more developed, we keep upgrading our sessions. No child is the same and the level of his or her absorption and understanding of subjects differ. We upscale our programme for a few or bring the level down for others, so that each child’s need is met. By the end of the year, we make sure that they are on par with each other. We also interact with parents about their gifted child and if we feel that there is a need to further a child’s talent. Quarterly reports are prepared, briefing each parent on the child’s skill and his understanding of it.”
A wide variety of topics is covered from photosynthesis and finance to politics. Through each topic, various aspects like History, Science, Geography, etc. are touched upon too. Practical lessons are provided. Emphasis is on understanding and grasping rather than just learning. With various programmes on music, art and craft, and reading, the institute aims at the holistic development of a child.
The teachers at I-Leap are qualified and understand the needs of children. In addition to their qualification and experience they undergo training which is provided by the institute. The teachers are constantly exposed to training sessions and mock sessions so that the teaching sessions do not become monotonous.
The institute does not shy away from introducing new concepts. Their programmes constantly challenge the children and keep them on their toes. With discussions and discoveries, children learn from each other in a way that concepts are forever embedded in their memory.
Divya Goel, mother of five-year old Vedika who enjoys her sessions at I-Leap says, “My child eagerly looks forward to classes. The programme is concept-based and not just about teaching art, craft or music to children. The classes are constructive in a practical way. She has learnt how to use a microscope, observe insects and plants. She is confident of her understanding of subjects and knows what is being taught to her and is not afraid to ask questions.”
I-Leap goes beyond classroom teaching and gives children a platform to come out of their shells and explore, discover and enjoy the process of learning. The details for this academy can be accessed at ileap.in