Early
Childhood Children develop rapidly in the early years - physically, intellectually,
emotionally and socially. At this critical stage of development, we
provide children with the very best start to their education - to
establish solid foundations on which they can build and continue to grow
throughout their school years and beyond.
Starting School Different children respond differently to the experience of school,
depending on a number of factors, including temperament and personality.
Other factors include their experiences at home and away from home.
Children will have already learned a great deal by the time they enter
NISC, particularly from their families. We value and build on this
knowledge. We consider both the child’s needs and past achievements to
determine the range of learning experiences which will help him or her
progress. In Pre-Kindergarten, Teachers:
Recognize that parents are the child’s first and most enduring
educators.
Respect and understand the role of parents in their child’s education.
Manage carefully the transition between home and school.
Establish a strong partnership with parents.
Work with each student at his/her own developmental level, recognizing
and accounting for different learning styles.
Provide a nurturing atmosphere that supports the students emotional well
being and positive social interaction in a multicultural setting.
Provide an environment that encourages the development of a love for
learning.
Provide an environment that allows time for the students to work in
depth and complete activities.
The Classroom Environment
The Pre-Kindergarten classrooms are carefully planned to support and
extend children’s play, learning and development. The rooms are clean,
safe and stimulating with everything, child-sized appealing materials
are well-organized and independently accessible.
Social and Personal Growth and Development
Children are invited to work on the activities that they like the most,
complete them and discover mistakes for themselves.
Performance of everyday (Practical Life) activities meets the children’s
need for independence and allows for greater concentration. These
exercises develop motor skills and coordination as well as enrich
vocabulary and develop concentration.
The successful completion of useful tasks helps build self esteem.
Children learn to respect themselves, others and learn about the
importance of friendships.
Children are also helped to manage their own behavior using teacher set
guidelines designed to enable children to play and work feeling secure.
The Early Childhood Curriculum
Our Early Childhood curriculum is designed to aid in the development of
key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentration,
cooperation and persistence. The Early Childhood curriculum provides the
basis for continued growth throughout the school years.
The curriculum is carefully structured with:
Provisions for each child’s starting point, building on prior knowledge
and ability.
Relevant and appropriate content that matches the different levels of
young children’s needs.
Planned and purposeful activities that provide opportunities for
teaching and learning both indoors and outdoors.
Provisions for the teachers’ knowledge of child development and care
strategies as well as each child’s individual learning strengths.
Themes
The curriculum introduces relevant, appropriate and meaningful themes
which fascinate and stimulate their curiosity and enthusiasm.
Play
Play is an enjoyable, voluntary, purposeful and spontaneously chosen
activity. It is often creative as well, involving problem solving,
learning new social skills, new language and physical skills. Play is a
central part of our curriculum. Play is your child’s work.
Language Arts- Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking
Planned and incidental work using communication, language and literature
in every part of the curriculum enables children to make connections
between experiences and ideas. Children are encouraged to narrate,
describe, remember, question and answer as well as express thoughts and
feelings. Children listen to favorite nursery rhymes and stories, enjoy
action songs, are encouraged to make stories, draw, paint and talk about
what they have done. Children visit the library for stories, activities
and to borrow books to enjoy at home, learning basic book care skills.
Some structured writing, letter and number recognition is introduced.
Mathematics
This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, making
connections, seeking patterns, recognizing shapes, space and measures.
Mathematical understanding is developed through stories, songs, games
and imaginative play allowing children to build an enjoyment of using
and experimenting with numbers. Mathematical concepts are integrated
into curriculum themes and are flexible to reflect children’s interest
and abilities.
Science and Social Studies
In these areas of learning, children are developing the crucial
knowledge, skills and understanding to help them become aware of the
wider world and to make sense of it. This forms the foundation for later
work in science, design and technology, information technology, history
and geography. A variety of themes are used throughout all levels.
Stories, books— fiction and non-fiction—activities, games, art projects,
music, guest speakers, videos and cooking are all used to reinforce the
concepts taught in the theme area. Some of the themes studied in
Pre-Kindergarten 3 include: All About Me, Families, Farm Animals and
Plants, Insects and Bugs and Colors and Shapes.
Technology
Interactive computer games or early childhood CDs are used with the
whole group at the beginning of each computer class. Students learn
basic computer skills such as using the mouse and being able to click
programs to open and to close programs. They use educational computer
games that improves eye-hand coordination and thinking skills.
Art and Music
Art and Music are incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum with
additional opportunities for special projects or for aesthetic
enjoyment. Being creative enables children to make connections between
areas of learning, extending their understanding. Children enjoy a wide
range of activities that they can respond to by using many senses. The
emphasis is on the process rather than the final product.
In Art Class, students complete art activities that help to refine motor
skills and develop understanding about the basic elements and principles
of design. Students will also have the opportunity to experience a
variety of media.
In Music Class, songs, actions and movement provide opportunities for
children to express their emotions. Children join in singing familiar
songs and explore musical elements through stories, rhymes and games.
Children also have opportunities to investigate where sound comes from
and to experiment with sounds and rhythm, building on their fine motor
skills and listening skills. They begin to play percussion instruments
showing care and control. The emphasis is on enjoying both playing with
instruments and listening to the music.
Physical Education and Swimming
The body is the young child’s primary tool for discovery. Planned
activities that offer appropriate physical challenges help develop
skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement, as well as
daily classroom activities. Students attend two P.E. classes in the gym
each week. Pre-Kindergarten students have weekly swimming lessons, where
they learn water safety rules, to overcome any fear of swimming, basic
floating and swimming skills.
ESL (English as a Second Language)
Due to the multicultural nature of international schools, many students
have a language other than English as their first language. While the
language of instruction at NISC is English, the teacher accommodates the
students whose first language is not English within the classroom
setting.
Special Activities
Pre-Kindergarten children enjoy a wide variety of special activities,
including music, computer, PE, swimming, gardening, cooking and Khmer
culture.
Cambodian Culture
We desire our students to develop an understanding and appreciation for
Cambodia and its people. Pre-Kindergarten children learn about and take
part in special holiday celebrations.
