Gabe

Gabe is the German word for “gift”

Gabe program is a Froebel-inspired, hands-on learning program that develops children’s mathematical thinking, spatial reasoning, creativity and problem-solving through purposeful play with specially designed educational materials.

Froebel developed a sequence of educational play materials known as Froebel’s Gifts (Spielgaben) in the 1800s. They include balls, cubes, cylinders, divided wooden blocks, sticks, rings and other manipulatives. The idea is not simply to teach children how to build a particular model. For example, a child might begin with a cube, discover that several smaller cubes can make a larger structure, create a house or bridge, then explore concepts such as symmetry, number, size, position and pattern. Children touch, move, combine, separate, rotate, compare and construct with the materials. More advanced activities can become surprisingly sophisticated and connect with mathematics, engineering, architecture and artistic design.  

Our program is structured across five developmental stages, with lesson content carefully adapted to suit the age, abilities and developmental needs of children at each stage. As children progress through the five stages, they are gradually introduced to more complex concepts and challenges.

Book a trial class  Our teacher will recommend the most appropriate stage and class options based on your child’s age and developmental stage.

What outcome can I expect from enrolling my child in the Gabe program❓

Number Sense and Counting:  number recognition, rote- counting (verbal counting), the concept of one-to- one correspondence, cardinality: recognising the last number counted represents the total number pf objects in the group, subtilising: the ability to instantly look at a small group of objects and know how many there are without counting them individuallly.  

Exploring patterning: noticing repeating sequences (e.g. red- blue, red-blue), replicating a sequence using blocks, predicting/ extending what comes next (AB/ ABC patterns). Patterning forms the structural basis for later algebraic thinking. 

Spartial Reasoning: identifying, naming and describing common two-dimensional shapes and three- dimensional objects. Understanding and using positional language to describe spatial relationships, such as under, over, next to, inside, behind and between.