How do Mind Lab classes work

Children apply winning strategies to games and life

Mind Lab has numerous age appropriate curricula for children from 4-16. The curriculum is built around weekly sessions which are grouped into courses. Each course, focuses on different thinking skills, such as problem solving, creative thinking, resource management, planning and sequencing, and information analysis. The lessons are structured so that children are given the opportunity to learn new games and experiment with the learned strategies and thinking concepts in an enjoyable and safe environment. Mind Lab teachers use a facilitative teaching style that encourages children to find their own solutions, build on each others ideas, collaboratively problem solve and relate the strategies to their own lives in a relevant and meaningful way. Children's confidence, social development and self-esteem quickly grows as they see their success and receive recognition for losing gracefully, good gamesmanship, helping others, integrity and successfully applying the strategies.

And in addition to helping children learn, develop and apply critical thinking, social and emotional intelligence skills - Mind Lab is thoroughly enjoyable, children are totally engaged and learn while they play.

A Mind Lab class is approximately 45 minutes and is built around the Mind Lab curriculum.

A typical lesson features the following structure:

The teacher leads an opening activity, puzzle or story to introduce the central theme of the class and engage the children.
The teacher explains the aims and rules of this week’s game.
The children have plenty of time to enjoy and play the game in groups (usually pairs or foursomes). The children are completely absorbed in the fun and challenge of the game.
The teacher leads a discussion about the game strategies the children have been using. The teacher then describes new game strategies, thinking concepts or models that relates to the game and can help the children improve their playing.
The children learn the benefit of these new tools through their experience of playing the game again in groups.
The teacher discusses with the children how they can apply these new thinking skills to the game and to real life situations.
The teacher encourages the children relate their feelings and thoughts during the lesson. The teacher reinforces the social skills and emotional intelligence lessons learnt by awarding a "Mind Lab medal" for the week to the child who has stretched the most in that area.