teaching

The Tools That Build a Child: Understanding the Construction Process of an Icon with Auntie Nats

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We recently paused our reading of the Book of Nehemiah to explore a word the icons encountered but did not fully understand: construction.

When the word came up, many of the icons were unsure of its meaning. Rather than rushing past it, we decided to slow down and explore it together. We examined construction workers, construction tools, and the purpose of a construction site. What began as a vocabulary lesson quickly became a powerful reflection on the process of building a child.

Construction is the process of carefully building something, piece by piece, according to a plan. When workers construct a building, they use various tools, materials, and skills to transform an empty space into a strong, useful, and lasting structure. Every hammer, measuring tape, shovel, and level plays a role in shaping the final structure.

In the same way, raising and educating a child is a construction project.

Children are not finished products when they arrive at school. They are lives in formation. They are construction sites filled with potential, and the work of shaping their minds, character, and future requires the right tools and the right people.

This understanding brings us back to the story of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah saw the broken walls of Jerusalem, he did not simply wish things were different. He organised the people, gathered the materials, and began the work of rebuilding. The project required vision, leadership, cooperation, and perseverance. Every person had a section of the wall to repair, and every stone mattered.

Parenting and teaching function in a similar way. Building a child requires a community of individuals who understand their role in the process.

Parents and teachers are two of the most important tools God uses in a child’s life.

Parents lay the earliest foundations. In the home, children learn identity, values, language, and habits. They learn what love looks like, what discipline feels like, and what it means to belong. These early experiences become the footing upon which everything else is built.

Teachers continue the construction process. In the classroom, children encounter structured learning, guidance, correction, and opportunities to develop their abilities. Teachers help shape thinking, encourage curiosity, and introduce children to the wider world of knowledge.

Neither of these roles works effectively in isolation. Construction projects fail when workers do not cooperate, tools are misused, or the plan is ignored. In the same way, a child thrives best when parents and teachers work in partnership, recognising that they are both instruments in a much larger process.

At Jabneh Christian Academy, we often remind the icons that God is building them. The lessons they learn, the corrections they receive, the habits they practise, and the encouragement they hear are all part of the construction process.

Sometimes construction sites appear messy. There may be noise, dust, and unfinished sections. Growth in children can look similar. There are mistakes, corrections, repeated practice, and gradual improvement. Yet these moments are not signs of failure. They are evidence that the work is in progress.

Scripture gives us a reassuring promise about this process in Philippians 1:6:

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This reminds us that the ultimate builder of every child is God Himself. Parents and teachers serve as tools in His hands, helping to shape the next generation with wisdom, patience, and care.

Our goal at Jabneh is not simply academic success. Our goal is to participate in the construction of strong, wise, and purposeful lives.

Each icon is being built with intention.

Each lesson adds another brick.

Each correction strengthens the structure.

Each act of encouragement reinforces the walls.

When parents and teachers embrace their role as tools in this process, children grow within a framework of stability and purpose. Together, we participate in building individuals who are prepared not only for exams or careers, but for meaningful lives that honour God and contribute positively to society.

At Jabneh, we have been saying that our icons are “under construction.”

The work is ongoing, the plan is purposeful, and the Builder is faithful.

We are grateful to partner with you in this important construction project.

Together, let us build icons that will withstand the challenges of life.

Never Underestimate a Learner: The Power of Multigrade Classrooms

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By Auntie Nats | Jabneh Christian Academy Blog

At Jabneh Christian Academy, we believe that every child is capable of greatness when placed in a nurturing, value-rich environment. One of the unique aspects of our learning culture is our multigrade classroom setting, where learners of varying ages share the same space, engage with the same environment, and often encounter the same challenges, each at his or her own level of readiness.

Recently, a beautiful moment captured the heart of what we believe. During a lesson designed for our 5-year-old icons focused on understanding the concept of a dozen, the class was asked to complete a culminating task: Draw twelve triangles.

In the same room sat one of our three-year-old icons—a quiet observer, not expected to complete the task. Though he has not yet mastered the art of writing his name, he attentively listened, watched, and participated fully. When the task was completed, there on his page were twelve carefully drawn triangles, his best attempt, and a successful one.

This wasn’t just an exercise in shapes. It was a profound reminder:
Never underestimate a learner. Growth doesn’t always announce itself with fanfare. Sometimes, it shows up humbly, in a triangle drawn by a three-year-old.

What Multigrade Learning Offers

1. Exposure Breeds Expansion
Younger learners benefit from hearing advanced vocabulary, witnessing higher-level thinking, and absorbing rhythms of instruction beyond their current level. The 3-year-old’s ability to grasp the concept of a dozen was sparked by exposure.

2. Peer Modelling Encourages Progress
Older students naturally model behaviours, language, and strategies that younger ones observe and imitate. It creates a learning loop where leadership and growth thrive simultaneously.

3. Confidence and Independence Grow
In multigrade settings, students take initiative, challenge themselves, and step into tasks even when not directly instructed. This self-starting behaviour is a critical life skill.

4. Differentiated Learning is the Norm
Rather than rigid grade expectations, multigrade learning emphasises readiness. Students progress based on capability, not age.

5. Development Is Multi-Dimensional
Beyond academics, learners gain emotional resilience, social adaptability, and fine motor coordination. This task developed counting, shape recognition, and visual-motor skills—all unprompted.

More Than a Triangle

This icon may not yet write his name independently, but in that moment, he demonstrated initiative, understanding, and ability. In a traditional setting, this may have been missed. In our multigrade environment, it was celebrated.

At Jabneh, we teach beyond grade levels—we teach hearts, minds, and potential.

Multigrade classrooms remind us that teaching is not about holding children back until they’re “ready,” but about inviting them forward into possibility. Every child is on a journey. Every moment is a chance to rise.

To parents, educators, and caregivers:
May this be your reminder to pay attention to what your child is becoming, not just what they can already do.

There’s greatness growing quietly in every corner of the room.

Empowering Minds: Navigating Addition with a Student on the Autism Spectrum

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Today’s focus was on continuing our exploration of addition. With my student demonstrating a solid grasp of numbers from 1 to 9 and a budding number sense, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of addition.

Navigating the Fundamentals of Addition in the World of Autism

In our first lesson, we began by familiarizing ourselves with the plus sign, an essential symbol in the world of addition. Through repetition and visual aids, my student began to recognize and name the symbol with increasing confidence.

Moving forward to our second lesson, we delved into reading the first half of addition equations. We practiced identifying the numbers involved in the addition process, such as in 3 + 4 or 7 + 2, laying a foundational understanding.

In lesson three, we introduced the concept of the equal sign, a pivotal step in comprehending the balance inherent in addition equations. After revisiting the skills learned in the previous lesson, we incorporated the equal sign into our equation readings, such as in 3 + 4 =.

During this journey, my student encountered challenges, as is common in the learning process. There were moments of difficulty differentiating between the plus and equal signs, leading to moments of frustration. However, through supportive guidance and reassurance, we navigated these obstacles together.

I vividly recall one such moment when my student looked at me with a mixture of determination and desperation, seeking assistance in remembering. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of personalized support and encouragement in the learning process.

Although we encountered setbacks along the way, we celebrated small victories, such as the one captured in the video from today’s session. Witnessing my student’s progress and sense of accomplishment serves as a testament to the effectiveness of breaking down concepts into manageable segments.

Teaching learners in small, digestible segments has proven to be an effective approach, allowing for incremental progress and meaningful engagement. As we continue our journey together, I am inspired by the resilience and determination demonstrated by my student, reinforcing my commitment to providing tailored support and fostering a love for learning.

Engaging my student with autism has been a rewarding journey of patience, understanding, and tailored instruction.

Today’s focus was on continuing our exploration of addition. With my student demonstrating a solid grasp of numbers from 1 to 9 and a budding number sense, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of addition.

In our first lesson, we began by familiarizing ourselves with the plus sign, an essential symbol in the world of addition. Through repetition and visual aids, my student began to recognize and name the symbol with increasing confidence.

Moving forward to our second lesson, we delved into reading the first half of addition equations. We practiced identifying the numbers involved in the addition process, such as in 3 + 4 or 7 + 2, laying a foundational understanding.

In lesson three, we introduced the concept of the equal sign, a pivotal step in comprehending the balance inherent in addition equations. After revisiting the skills learned in the previous lesson, we incorporated the equal sign into our equation readings, such as in 3 + 4 =.

During this journey, my student encountered challenges, as is common in the learning process. There were moments of difficulty differentiating between the plus and equal signs, leading to moments of frustration. However, through supportive guidance and reassurance, we navigated these obstacles together.

I vividly recall one such moment when my student looked at me with a mixture of determination and desperation, seeking assistance in remembering. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of personalized support and encouragement in the learning process.

Although we encountered setbacks along the way, we celebrated small victories, such as the one captured in the video from today’s session. Witnessing my student’s progress and sense of accomplishment serves as a testament to the effectiveness of breaking down concepts into manageable segments.

Teaching learners in small, digestible segments has proven to be an effective approach, allowing for incremental progress and meaningful engagement. As we continue our journey together, I am inspired by the resilience and determination demonstrated by my student, reinforcing my commitment to providing tailored support and fostering a love for learning.