Samatha offers quality education to students with diverse abilities and varied challenges. We have students with diagnosis of Cerabral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Global Developmental Delays, Autism, Angleman's Syndrome and ADHD, to name a few. When students join Samatha they are reassured of being in an environment that values and respects them just as the same is expected of them. We ensure that every child who comes to Samatha has access to their right to an education. To ensure every child's special learning skills are recognised and nurtured to its potential, students are grouped as per their learning levels and abilities. Our group sizes of 6 students are led by 2 teachers, ensuring a student to teacher ratio is maintained at 3:1.
Our Academic session starts in June of every year and closes in the month of April. The year is divided into 2 terms with Term 1 starting in June and Term 2 starting in November. The school day is from 9.30am to 2.30pm, with a snack break and a lunch break. The daily routine follows a regular schedule with time alloted to the 3 academic areas of language, numeracy and Knowledge of the world around us (EVS). In the schedule for the day, there are sessions dedicated to free play, structured play, art and music and movement. Play time is very important, allowing students to practice their social and communication skills.
Our students range from the ages of 2.6 years and above. The students are grouped as per their abilities and academic levels. An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is made for every student that focuses its attention on addressing the skills that need to be built. An assessment report is shared with the parents at the end of every month. The month’s curriculum is shared with the parents at the start of every month so that they may also contribute to the student’s learning journey.
As the name suggests, the primary focus of this program is designed keeping in mind the developmental needs of children in their early years (below 6 years). The Nurture Program is crated to address the gaps in developmental areas and to build school readiness skills in young children, to make their transition and integration into mainstream education a smooth one as their delays are, in parallel, being addressed with relevant therapies.
When developmental delays are addressed at this early age, the children have every opportunity to bridge the gaps, which may get further compounded if left for later. The Nurture program combines academics and skill building activities, along with the above mentioned therapies, giving attention to all areas of development. The student learns to follow routines, communicate effectively, and develop independence through self-help skills. The student is introduced to language, numeracy, and relevant topics where they learn about the world around them.
HANDLE (www.handle.org) and Braingym (https://braingym.org.uk/about-edu-k/ ) are the therapies that are part of the daily schedule. These therapies work on the theory of Neuro-plasticity. Both, the HANDLE and Brain Gym therapies help in regulating the sensory processing systems and help with balance and coordination issues. These therapies are research based and have maximum impact when introduced in the early years.
10.00 am - 2.00 pm (Monday to Friday)
6-9 students
2.6 years and 6years
Maximum of 3:1
This Program is for students above 6 years, who are new to the school experience and who are yet to build on their pre-learning skills in academic areas of language and numeracy. The program combines academic focus with therapeutic interventions and activities to build self help skills. HANDLE (www.handle.org) and Braingym (https://braingym.org.uk/about-edu-k/ ) are the therapies that are part of the daily schedule. These therapies work on the theory of Neuro-plasticity. Both, the HANDLE and Brain Gym therapies help in regulating the sensory processing systems and help with balance and coordination issues. These therapies are research based and have maximum impact when introduced in the early years.
Students in this group learn pre-language skills in preparation to read, write and comprehend at a basic level. They also learn pre-math skills that lead to learning of numeracy and math concepts such as number value, 1:1 correspondence, simple addition and subtraction. Students are taught self help skills, how to communicate effectively and socialize appropriately.
Timely intervention in the primary years gives a young child the opportunity build skills rather than reinforce challenges. Writing is a skill that needs a firm grip and good eye- hand coordination and is supported with strong spacial awareness. Not all children will learn to write. Some would be taught to type on the computer, to still give them the option to express themselves in writing. Fine and gross motor activities are included in the program which supports their self help skills like eating independently, wearing their shoes and opening and closing their lunch box.
Above 6 years
3:1
9.30am- 2.30pm (Monday to Friday)
6-9 students
In the primary years’ curriculum, the focus moves to advancing the language and numeracy skills and building on the knowledge base of knowing the world they live in. Using the laptop and typing are skills that are being improved on along with writing skills for those who are able to. Reading is an important area to focus on since the skills of reading fluency and reading comprehension have a global impact on all learning areas. Students follow a structured curriculum which is executed at their pace and at their level of learning. Monthly assessments are done to chart progress of learning in all the different areas.
The program continues to combine academics with therapeutic interventions and activities to build self help skills and address sensory issues. HANDLE (www.handle.org) and Braingym (https://braingym.org.uk/about-edu-k/ ) are the therapies that are part of the daily schedule. These therapies work on the theory of Neuro-plasticity. Both, the HANDLE and Brain Gym therapies help in regulating the sensory processing systems and help with balance and coordination issues. These therapies are research based and have maximum impact when introduced in the early years.
As students grow, so does their level of awareness of self and others and also their body needs. Children in their pre-puberty years are taught appropriate behaviours that will help them cope with their body changes when they reach puberty. Social skills are also an important area of focus with the need to teach students the skills of self regulation and effective communication becomes important to make friends.
For students who show a keen ability to learn and respond effectively to what is taught are introduced to a formal curriculum program with inquiry as their core learning medium. The alternative option would be the standard curriculum that would be accessed through textbooks.
Above 6 years
Maximum of 3:1
9.30am- 2.30pm
6-9 students
With this group of learners, in the curriculum, the focus moves to advancing the language and numeracy skills and building on the knowledge base of knowing the world they live in. Students continue to build their expressive skills either in writing or by typing on laptops. Reading and comprehension are important skills focused on since they have a global impact on all learning areas. Students follow a structured curriculum which is executed at their pace and at their level of learning. Monthly reports are generated based on the formative assessments that are done through the month, to chart progress of learning in all the different areas.
In this group, the program continues to combine academics with therapeutic interventions and activities to build self help skills and address sensory issues. HANDLE (www.handle.org) and Braingym (https://braingym.org.uk/about-edu-k/ ) are the therapies that are part of the daily schedule. These therapies work on the theory of Neuro-plasticity. Both, the HANDLE and Brain Gym therapies help in regulating the sensory processing systems and help with balance and coordination issues. These therapies are research based and have maximum impact when introduced in the early years.
As students grow, so do their level of awareness of self and others and also their body needs. Children in their pre-pubescent years are taught appropriate behaviours that will help them cope with their body changes when they reach puberty. Social skills are also an important area of focus with the need to teach students the skills of self regulation and effective communication becomes important to make friends.
For students who show a keen ability to learn and respond effectively, have the opportunity to extend their learning into an inquiry based curriculum. Some students, who exhibit the ability to strategize and build block by block towards a desired target can also opt for the Scratch Coding Program after school.
Above 6 years
Maximum of 3:1
9.30am- 2.30pm
6-9 students
Samatha Learning Center,
#1285, 21st Main, 11th Cross, 1st Sector, HSR Layout, Bengaluru-560102,
Karnataka, India
