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CRADLE OF JOY CENTER FOR LEARNING

A parent’s partner in raising kids well

05/18/2008

Parents must be discerning with their choice of school, it being an important vehicle through which a child’s total development can be enhanced —covering the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social aspects of his/her growth. One school that espouses this kind of holistic and integral learning is Cradle of Joy Center for Learning (COJ).

Located at 11th Jamboree in Quezon City, COJ was initially founded in 1998 as a Preschool Project by educator-members of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community (LNP), an organization for renewed Catholics.

The vision for COJ is to be “a learning institution where the Christian culture of community life and Christ-like values that parents espouse at home will be supported in a school structure,” directress Marion Abiva-Cruz said.

COJ optimizes learning for both its pre-school and grade school students since class sizes are kept small. Two adults run a pre-school class of 10-15 students (depending upon age) while the maximum students for a grade school class is 15.

Learning in COJ is very experiential. “We make use of the progressive method of teaching, an educational approach that scientific research has proven to develop critical thinking, creativity and imagination. We use tactile-kinesthetic activities and provide a lot of hands-on educational materials. We have frequent field trips and research projects. We likewise invite resource persons to speak before our students.”

Another special feature of COJ is Multiple Intelligences that presupposes that a child can be intelligent nine different ways, from being Word-Smart (verbal- linguistic) to People-Smart (interpersonal), to Body-Smart (bodily-kinesthetic).

The Grade School Department employs the Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Program which takes into account individual learning styles to address specific learning needs.

A character program is also an integral part of COJ’s curriculum.

Children with special needs have room at COJ too. A Special Education teacher is available to provide an Individualized Education Program for the SPED child.

Inquiries about Cradle of Joy are welcome at 921-0602/ 494-6342. Also, check out its Web site at www.cradleofjoy.net.