The Challenge Kindergarten Model: Integrating Body-Movement and Scaffolding to Keep the Child in the Center and Make Systematic Progress in Learning

This article presents a "child-centered" model of the teaching-learning process-the challenge kindergarten model. The model is an attempt to deal with the limitations of the "child-centered" approach without giving up its benefits. In this model, the teachers enable the children to direct their activities and improve their independent learning thanks to careful planning and consistent implementation. The model focuses on two learning-related skills that are most likely to bring about independent learning and two teaching strategies designed to promote these skills. The learning-related skills are self-regulated learning and cooperative behaviors. The integrated strategies are allowing children to direct body-movement and using it as an opportunity for setting up personal and group scaffolding.