Our Education Model
Educational Model & Pedagogical Foundation
Gymboree Preschool Education Model Our preschool programs adopt a skill-based and play-focused educational approach. During this period, it is crucial that children receive education without distancing themselves from childhood. Rather than lesson titles, the quality of the content and the way it is conveyed to children are fundamental. For example, mathematics is a logic-based subject. Accordingly, programs that develop children's logic and reasoning skills are implemented.
On the other hand, music is at the core of mathematics. Rhythm and beats in music contribute to the development of children's mathematical intelligence. For this reason, Gymboree's program, which includes 18 different world music genres, is implemented in all our preschool classes. Our program is built on fundamental areas such as science, art, music, and sports.
Our goal is to provide children with the skills that form the basis of these abilities rather than directly teaching them to read and write. Writing is of great importance for the development of fine motor skills. Activities in class are planned to support these skills. Since physical and cognitive development must be balanced, desk-based and active activities are evenly distributed throughout the day. The focus of our education is to prepare children for life in the best possible way while prioritizing their happiness, safety, and individual differences.
Whole-Child Approach & DRDP Integration
Our daily programs balance structured exploration with open-ended play, music, outdoor experiences, and creative work. This rhythm supports academic, emotional, physical, and social development equally. Teachers plan intentionally, observe progress, and document milestones — ensuring that every experience supports both confidence and competence.
Using the formative assessment framework developed by the California Department of Education, the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), our preschool learning experiences are intentionally designed to support children’s acquisition of knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Each activity is planned with clear developmental goals that contribute to children’s overall growth.
According to the DRDP, early childhood development is organized across eight key domains. This developmental continuum, from early childhood through preschool, aligns with the structure of our curriculum. Therefore, every learning experience within our program is designed to support areas recognized as essential for school readiness.
Our program integrates thematic, play-based experiences that nurture language and communication, social-emotional development, cognitive skills, physical development, and approaches to learning. This holistic approach ensures that children build foundational skills for school readiness within a developmentally appropriate and engaging preschool environment.
Skill-Based Education Approach
These 7 essential skills, which support children's social, emotional, and cognitive development, enable them to take strong steps in life. Supported by activities based on play, drama, discovery, and collaboration, the program strengthens both individual development and group cohesion.
• Games that support impulse control
• Activities for managing emotions and anger
• Exercises for developing patience and waiting skills
• Games that increase attention and focus
• Self-awareness and discovering strengths activities
• Success-oriented, confidence-building activities
• Stage and drama activities
• Developing cooperation and leadership skills through group work
• Games that support physical and motor skills
• Exploration and experimentation activities
• Nature activities
• Problem-solving and prediction games
• Science and technology-based activities
• Icebreaker and matching games
• Group games requiring cooperation
• Emotion recognition and sharing activities
• Role-playing and drama workshops
• Sharing and helping activities
• Planning and goal setting activities
• Problem solving and strategy development games
• Art and creativity-based activities
• Group cooperation and responsibility games
• Self-assessment and feedback activities
• Speaking and listening activities
• Storytelling and drama games
• Games that develop expression skills
• Group activities
• Sound and word games
• Group games
• Collaborative art projects
• Story creation and drama activities
• Construction games
• Activities requiring physical cooperation
IB Learner Profile
Developing foundational life skills is the essential bridge to nurturing the IB Learner Profile. A skills-based approach ensures that children do not just learn, but grow into:
Rotating Classroom System
Our campus operates as an interconnected ecosystem of six classrooms and two outdoor gardens. Children rotate between the Main, Harmony, Discovery, Art, Music, and Play & Learn classrooms, each designed to focus on a specific area of development. This daily rhythm of rotation keeps children engaged, active, and curious — supporting both concentration and flexibility.
The Play & Learn Classroom is the heart of Gymboree International Preschool İzmir — a unique environment designed with Gymboree’s award-winning and patented play structures, originally developed by early childhood design specialists in the United States.
Every detail — from soft-climb modules to balance beams, slides, tunnels, and bridges — encourages safe exploration, coordination, and imaginative movement. Every three weeks, the entire setup is reconfigured, introducing new textures, colors, and challenges.
This transformation gives children the feeling of entering a brand-new classroom each time, sustaining curiosity and engagement while supporting motor, spatial, and creative development. The Play & Learn Classroom embodies Gymboree’s belief that children learn best in active, evolving, and child-centered environments, where play shapes understanding.
Orientation Process
