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"Abot Tala" logo with text
"Abot Tala" logo with text

Archived

AT Junior Block One 2025

Self-Directed & Interest-Led Learning Program For Kids Ages 7-11

A playful, curiosity-driven program for kids that blends online sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and in-person meet-ups. Each block is designed to spark their interests, build confidence, and strengthen social skills, all while giving them the freedom to explore, share, and learn in ways that feel natural and fun.

Block Details

Where: Live Online Classes via Zoom, Slack Workspace, or Gather Town

Duration:

September 5–26

Register for the block

via Google Forms

See Block fees

Schedule

Morning Sessions: Spontaneous

with

Nica Cosio

September 5 & 26
9:30-10:30 AM — For kids ages 7–8
10:45-11:45 AM — For kids ages 9–11

An open, online hangout where kids can share their latest interests, curiosities, and stories with the guidance of their mentor and teen volunteers. Through fun, free-flowing conversations, they’ll learn to speak confidently in a group, ask thoughtful questions, and get to know their peers better. These lively chats also inspire the afternoon’s more focused “deliberate sessions,” making learning personal and engaging.

Morning Sessions: Spontaneous

with

Nica Cosio

September 5 & 26
9:30-10:30 AM — For kids ages 7–8
10:45-11:45 AM — For kids ages 9–11

An open, online hangout where kids can share their latest interests, curiosities, and stories with the guidance of their mentor and teen volunteers. Through fun, free-flowing conversations, they’ll learn to speak confidently in a group, ask thoughtful questions, and get to know their peers better. These lively chats also inspire the afternoon’s more focused “deliberate sessions,” making learning personal and engaging.

Afternoon Sessions: Deliberate

with

Nica Cosio

September 5 & 26
2:30-3:30 PM — For kids ages 7–8
3:45-4:45 PM — For kids ages 9–11

An engaging, mentor-led class designed around what truly excites the kids. Using ideas gathered from the morning’s Spontaneous Session, the mentor prepares focused topics, activities, and challenges that connect directly to the children’s interests and curiosities. Sessions might feature special guest mentors, giving kids the chance to learn from different voices and perspectives. Along the way, they’ll develop skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork, all while having fun and feeling that their ideas truly matter.

Afternoon Sessions: Deliberate

with

Nica Cosio

September 5 & 26
2:30-3:30 PM — For kids ages 7–8
3:45-4:45 PM — For kids ages 9–11

An engaging, mentor-led class designed around what truly excites the kids. Using ideas gathered from the morning’s Spontaneous Session, the mentor prepares focused topics, activities, and challenges that connect directly to the children’s interests and curiosities. Sessions might feature special guest mentors, giving kids the chance to learn from different voices and perspectives. Along the way, they’ll develop skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork, all while having fun and feeling that their ideas truly matter.

Meet Your mentor!

Nica Cosio is an arts and crafts mentor with over 10 years of teaching children, teens and adults in both group workshops and one-on-one settings. Her workshops, which revolve around collage, printmaking, creative journaling and paper crafts, have been conducted in collaboration with different educational platforms, cultural organizations, and community programs. As a homeschooling mom of three and someone who was homeschooled from an early age herself, she believes in self-directed learning and in the importance of adapting lessons to different learning styles and developmental stages. She currently runs a collaborative co-working studio with her husband called Honeycomb Manila where they also organize community-building events. In her free time, her favorite things to do are go on nature walks, visit cafes to journal and get lost in a good book.

Special dates for this block!

September 12 – SDL Meetup: Craft Session at The Mess Studio (Common Room, The Atrium in Makati)

10:00 AM – 12:00 NN

Let’s get creative together! Join us for a fun 2-hour crafting session at The Mess Studio (Common Room, The Atrium in Makati) where kids can choose from a wide menu of exciting projects, anything from painting to building to designing. Each child will work on one project at their own pace, with help from The Mess Studio’s friendly staff and our mentors and teen volunteers. It’s the perfect chance for kids to create, explore, and bring home something they made with their own hands!

Parents or guardians can hang out in the venue, provided they need to grab a drink or snack from the cozy in-house café (no outside food or drinks, please). Please remember as well that this is the kids’ time to shine! Let them take the lead, make their own creative choices, and even figure out little challenges on their own. Just sit back, sip your coffee, and enjoy watching their independence grow.

You’re also welcome to drop the kids off and enjoy a little me-time. We’ve got them covered. They’ll be safe, busy, and having fun. Just be sure to come back right on time for pickup so they can proudly show you what they’ve made!

These activities and events are completely optional, but open to all members! Please note that there are separate fees for in-person activities and events.

Learn more about Abot Tala!

Our Approach

Learn how we empower teens to take charge of their own learning through self-directed, interest-led education and real-world experiences.

Abot Tala Archive

Meet the incredible mentors who guide, teach, and collaborate with our community, as well as a peak into our past blocks and classes!

Our Story

Get to know our story and mission as we work together to reimagine education for today’s youth.

Connect to learn more!

Reach out or book a call to see if Abot Tala is the right fit for your teen!

FAQs

Where are Abot Tala classes held?

How are Abot Tala classes decided?

Does Abot Tala have clubs?

What is the Liberated Learners Network?

Is Abot Tala registered with DepEd?

Visit FAQs Page