4BELS™ Instructional Method
The 4BELS approach is an evidence-based instructional process, based on the latest science in how the early brain develops.
4BELS is a child-directed, differentiated instructional process that creates an emotionally safe environment that is compatible with your child’s strengths, weaknesses and learning style. Also based on Gardner’s intelligences, (linguistic, interpersonal, intra-personal, spatial, mathematical, kinesthetic, musical and naturalistic), this approach offers instruction and curricular content in a manner that best fits their type of intelligence. Through observation and play, teachers assess your child’s static and potential knowledge and skills. By taking the time to understand your child’s learning style, strengths and weaknesses, they are able to design specific experiences and choose an instructional strategy that teaches the way your child learns best. Strengths are celebrated and weaknesses are addressed through areas of strength. The environment allows a child that is more left-brain leaning to learn as comfortably as the right-brain child does because instruction is differentiated to appreciate both styles. The richness of this approach encourages your child’s brain to make multiple neural connections in ways that are most comfortable to them. The more neural connections, the stronger a child’s intellectual potential.
The 4BELS process is focused on developing life-long learning skills rather than on memorizing content. Some of the key skills that children develop are initiative, cognitive flexibility, effective expression, thoughtful behavior, learning through experience and finishing power. By working in an inclusive environment, children are not competing against each other but rather have the choice to engage in cooperative activities or individual assignments, based on how they learn best.
Teachers are specifically trained in the 4BELS process and serve as facilitators of child-led learning. They work hard to understand your child and make curricular content relevant to each child. They begin by introducing content and then offering choices for exploring and experiencing this new content in meaningful ways. Teachers work with students to organize plans to interpret and apply new material in a manner that is most joyful to the child. The joy in learning creates an intrinsic motivation that bolsters retention, recall and a continued interest in more learning.