The child is a participant
A child has their own interests and their own way of thinking. The adult is responsible for safety and sets the frame for the class.
Our approach
We work on the principles of humane pedagogy and non-formal education: a child learns through interest and their own experience, with no marks.
Below are the rules every teacher and assistant on our London team knows. More about the Abracadabra network is at the bottom of the page.
What we believe
First ask why
The teacher asks themselves why these children need this topic today. Starting from a child's own experience makes it easier to get to a letter, a number or a book.
We learn by doing
After a game or a build, we talk about what happened and what we noticed. The children draw the conclusions themselves.
There can be more than one answer
“What do you think? Who sees it differently?” A teacher can say: “I don't know, let's find out together.”
No labels
We don't compare children. Instead of “you're not paying attention”, we say: “Look, you missed a bit here.”
No pressure
A child chooses how to take part: answer out loud, draw, or work in a pair.
What it looks like in class
From the handbook every Abracadabra teacher and assistant receives.
SituationWhat we doWhat we don't do
A child has just arrivedWe say hello, introduce ourselves and give them time to look around.Insist they say hello and go and play straight away.
A child has made somethingWe describe it and ask: “You've made the bridge long. How did you work out how to make it stronger?”Judge it: “right”, “wrong”, “the best one”.
A child refuses“All right. If you feel like it, you can come back.”Keep persuading, shame them.
A child switches to EnglishWe carry on the conversation and answer in Russian.Insist “speak Russian”.
Children have fallen outWe stop, help them say what happened and suggest a way forward.Look for someone to blame in front of everyone.
A child is cryingWe sit down beside them and offer to call mum or dad.“Don't cry”, “come on now”.
Safety and boundaries
These are the rules for the whole team. All our teachers have DBS checks, and the school is insured. More on the Safeguarding page.
- We don't pick a child up or take their hand without need and without their consent. We ask first: “Can I help you?”
- If a child needs help in the toilet or with changing, we call a parent.
- We don't raise our voices or threaten. If a child is doing something unsafe, we calmly stop it.
- We don't promise to keep a secret if it concerns a child's safety.
- In a difficult situation a teacher calls on colleagues.
The story of Abracadabra
Abracadabra opened in Munich in 2017. It now has schools in Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam and London: groups for little ones, the Children's University, theatre, courses for teenagers and adults, and camps in Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol.
Our London teachers plan their classes together with the methodologists in Munich, drawing on the experience of the other schools and on what their own groups need.
At the same time, we have our own team of teachers, and with it come new projects: the Chitalka book club and the Matesha maths circle.
Visit the Abracadabra website- 2017founded in Munich
- 4cities: Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, London
- 86teachers and camp leaders
- 35camps and courses a year
Where does Russian come in
A child understands everything in Russian but answers in English. It happens when school and friends are all in English, and Russian is only for talking to parents. Often Russian turns into the language of being tested: “Say it in Russian”, “You know this!”
At home you can answer in Russian without turning the conversation into a lesson. Your child says: “I saw a huge dog today!” You can reply in Russian: “Wow, you saw a huge dog? Where was it?”
At Abracadabra a child has other children to speak Russian with, not just mum and dad.
Book a trial class
Would you like to get to know Abracadabra? Send us a request and we'll help you choose a programme and arrange the first class.
