The Good Dharma Philosophy

We allow nature, our children and our community to guide our teachings

Our educational approach

✺ Learning through nature

We believe that nature is the most inspiring and captivating teacher and the greatest gift we can give our children is to educate them about it. With the school situated on a two-acre organic farm, students will actively participate in activities such as planting, harvesting or creating their own compost, nurturing a profound connection with the natural world. More traditional classes will also be held outside under the tree’s in our tropical garden. Our mission is to create a learning environment that nurtures a profound connection with the natural world whilst still incorporating an academic approach that prepares our children for future studies.
✺ A safe & sound environment

We see that every child is unique and deserves personalised care and attention. Our mission is to provide a safe and loving space where children can flourish emotionally, physically and socially. Our dedicated staff members are trained to provide compassionate support and foster a sense of security and trust for every child. All teachers are holding a degree in early education, are trained in first aid with annual refreshement courses. We also work closely with local organisations to ensure we detect any special needs at an early age in order to ensure the best possible education for everyone.
✺ Playful yet structured

At Good Dharma School, we believe that play should be cherished and prioritised as it offers a transformative space for growth, learning and sheer enjoyment for everyone. We encourage experiential learning through art, music, nature, and play, fostering a love of learning rather than a fear of failure. By incorporating an academic approach in activities that are fun and captivating, we hope to encourage children to explore, experiment and discover on their own. At good Dharma, each day, week and month holds a clear structure with activities planned in accordance to our curriculum that is printed and available to view for parents.

SEVEN KEY PILLARS

At Good Dharma, we are dedicated to nurturing young minds through a nature-based, student-led program; whilst fostering growth of the whole being

01

Child-led

We empower children to take charge of their education by allowing them to drive their educational experiences based on their unique interests, strengths and learning styles. Our teachers act as facilitators by guiding and supporting children as they explore and delve into subjects that captivate their minds. We encourage open-ended play, creativity and problem-solving by fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Our programs are designed to foster a deep understanding of the world.

When students have a say in what they learn, they become more emotionally invested in the process; this makes learning a joyful and fulfilling experience. This approach not only encourages critical thinking, but also develops a sense of ownership and responsibility for their own educational journey.

The concept of child-led learning revolutionises education by placing students at the forefront of their learning journey. By allowing children to explore their interests and pursue their passions, we create an environment that promotes intrinsic motivation, personalised learning experiences and the development of essential life skills.

02

Nature-based

We believe that nature is the perfect classroom. Through outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, gardening and ecological teachings, we empower young learners to become stewards of nature. By immersing children in the wonders of the natural world, we cultivate a deep respect for the environment and foster a profound connection with the earth. This is a unique and enriching learning experience for young children.

Instead of being confined within traditional classroom walls, we will spend most of our time outdoors in play, helping on the organic farm or participating in art and craft, using the materials available to us within our immediate environment. Our approach not only sparks curiosity and a love for learning but also instills lifelong lessons around sustainability, empathy and harmony with our planet.

03

Playful

Play holds immense significance in the development of individuals, regardless of their age, environment or cultural background. By engaging in play, we tap into a world of vast creativity, imagination and exploration. For children, play is not just fun and games; it is an essential part of their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

Through play, children learn valuable life skills such as problem-solving, empathy, cooperation and communication. Moreover, play fosters a sense of joy, self-expression and self-discovery by allowing children to creatively make sense of the world around them. Even for adults, incorporating play into our lives can rekindle a sense of spontaneity whilst at the same time reducing stress, enhancing productivity and helping to promote a healthy work-life balance.

At Good Dharma School, we believe that play should be cherished and prioritised as it offers a transformative space for growth, learning and sheer enjoyment for everyone. Our curriculum is designed around play-based learning, where children engage in hands-on activities, imaginative play and interactive experiences. Play is the cornerstone of our preschool education program as we believe that when children are happy and engaged, they become enthusiastic learners.

04

Sustainable

At Good Dharma School, we aim to sow the seeds of sustainability early on. By spending our days outside and in our organic veggie garden, we are instilling in our young learners a profound understanding of their connection to nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

We believe that with every small step towards a more sustainable future, through conscious learning, we cultivate a generation of environmentally aware leaders. Sustainable choices we’ve made at Good Dharma School so far involve; wooden toys, toys made from recycled plastic, play structures made from repurposed wood along with our furniture, building structures and roofing made from the trees on our very own land.

From our farm, we have full access to organic and locally grown produce to cook our meals with, as well as wood-fired cooking structures, again using wood from our very own backyard. We will steadily implement new sustainable practices throughout the school year and our children will be educated and involved in the entire process.

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

John Lubbock

05

Holistic

Whole child development is an essential aspect of our curriculum at Good Dharma School. This type of learning transcends the traditional school structure, one that would solely focus on academics. In addition to academic learning, we address the social, emotional, physical and cognitive aspects of a child's development.

By considering the holistic development of the child, our educators create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and social skills. Through this well-rounded approach, children are encouraged to explore their interests, build resilience and develop a strong sense of self.

06

Artistic Sensibility

We believe in nurturing each child's unique creativity through various forms of expression including: visual arts, music, dance and storytelling. We encourage children to explore their imagination, embrace their individuality and find their own voice by weaving creativity into their learning journey.

At our school, artistic sensibility isn't just about creating art, it’s about fostering a deep appreciation for beauty, creativity and the power of artistic expression. We explore this by engaging with art in a more profound and meaningful way—whether as creators or appreciators.

Every aspect of our nature-based school becomes a sensory journey aimed to ignite a child's creative imagination. From the fragrant and colourful veggie garden to the classroom walls, displaying a diverse array of local art that explores different mediums like natural dye and fabrics, traditional batik pieces and traditionally woven furniture and wall hangings.

Throughout the school year, we will also be embracing an array of diverse artists across different cultures, mediums and styles to facilitate art, music and dance workshops with a heavy community participation.

07

Community

We believe in collaboration among educators, families and our community to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment; one that positively impacts both our students and our neighbourhood.

We appreciate the inherent warmth and slow living that is Sri Lankan culture, along with the traditional growing methods, cooking methods and handcrafts, all of which are an integral part of our teachings at Good Dharma School.

Frequent events and workshops involving the children and the neighbourhood are held at the property engaging the students as well as parents. We will work to have a close relationship with surrounding schools and through our community fund, we are aiming to give annual scholarships to local kids as well as targeted support to local schools in the area.

“Our school embodies a holistic approach to learning that nurtures every facet of a child's development”

What is the meaning of ‘Good Dharma’ ?

Dharma, rooted in the Sanskrit word "dhri," signifies the cosmic law governing right behavior and social order. Originally applied to the cosmic order, it later extended to human conduct, emphasizing actions that maintain harmony in society, family, and nature. Good Dharma entails doing what's right for individuals, families, and the universe.

The Good Dharma School is situated on Dharma Rama Road, named after the revered hero Rama, symbolizing living by dharma's principles. In the school's inner courtyard, a sacred Dharma tree (Bodhi tree) serves as a daily gathering point to instill and uphold the values of good Dharma in children's lives.