At One World International School (OWIS in Singapore), we understand that early childhood education is crucial to children’s development. In the preschool years, children build literacy skills, study fundamental Maths concepts and generally learn more about the world around them. This learning provides a foundation for future academic success, preparing them for primary school and other pursuits.
With this in mind, we have designed an early childhood curriculum based on the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). This engaging, student-centred curriculum goes beyond rote memorisation by encouraging children to participate in inquiry-driven, play-based learning and grow into critical thinkers. They also have the opportunity to build important social-emotional skills, such as empathy and compassion.
To help parents learn more about our early childhood programme, we have compiled 15 blogs about early childhood education at OWIS.
1. How Positive Language Affects Young Learners
The words parents and educators say to young children matter. That’s why positive language is used in early childhood classrooms at OWIS. Positive language avoids words like “no,” “don’t,” and “can’t” and instead encourages and empowers children. For example, rather than say, “Don’t yell,” you may say, “Please use your inside voice.” In this blog, we talk more about the benefits of positive language.
2. How Young Learners Benefit From an All-Through School
An all-through school is an institution that educates all grade levels, from preschool to secondary school. These schools offer many benefits to young learners, such as diversity, more staffing and resources, and an early childhood curriculum that complements the primary school curriculum. This blog takes a closer look at these benefits.
3. Why We Advocate for Play-Based Learning
In this blog, we discuss play-based learning. At OWIS, our play-based learning curriculum centres around children’s natural inclination to play as a means of exploration, experimentation and learning. This curriculum emphasises hands-on, interactive experiences where children actively engage in self-directed play activities that promote their holistic development.
4. How Children Benefit from Differentiated Learning
Every child learns differently. That is why the early childhood programme at OWIS incorporates differentiated learning. This approach allows teachers to personalise the educational experience for every child through open-ended exercises, free play, classroom centres and more. This blog explores differentiated learning.
5. How Young Learners Master Communication
At OWIS, we understand that communication plays a key role in a child’s development. With this in mind, our early childhood programme nurtures communication skills in young learners through reading and storytelling, verbal communication practice, emotional exploration and other tactics discussed in this blog.
6. Why Holistic Development Matters to Young Learners
The early childhood programme at OWIS provides young learners with a well-rounded holistic education. This education encompasses every aspect of a child’s growth, including physical health; mental well-being; and social, emotional, and spiritual development. This blog discusses why this holistic approach is vital during preschool.
7. How OWIS Encourages Listening Skills in Children
Listening skills can help young learners achieve success in the classroom as well as in their relationships. In this blog, we explore how educators at OWIS help young learners develop different types of listening skills. For example, educators may teach children to actively listen by maintaining eye contact, nodding and providing verbal cues to show they are paying attention.
8. Integrating Language Skills into Early Childhood Education
For children to communicate effectively, they must master four language skills: listening, speaking and presenting, reading and writing. In this blog, we talk about how children in our early childhood programme develop these abilities through age-appropriate instruction and play-based learning.
9. Early Childhood English and Maths Curricula at OWIS
This blog offers insight into what your child will learn as part of our early childhood programme. For example, English lessons cover phonics, reading comprehension, letter writing and more. Meanwhile, Maths lessons focus on numbers, patterns, measurement and so on. Children also learn social-emotional skills through collaborative exercises and free play.
10. The Importance of Your Child’s Early Childhood Teacher
Preschool can be a tough transition for some children, especially those who haven’t spent time in groups of peers or been away from their parents for extended periods. In this blog, we discuss how early childhood educators create a safe, nurturing environment that helps young learners navigate this transition.
11. How IB PYP Fosters Creativity
Our IB PYP curriculum for young learners uses an inquiry-based approach to encourage children to express themselves and think creatively. Rather than require children to memorise information, teachers may use an open-ended question to prompt thoughtful discussion. Or, teachers may invite children to participate in hands-on activities rather than complete worksheets. We offer more insight into our curriculum in this blog.
12. Creative Drama and Expression in the Early Years
In this blog, we discuss how early childhood teachers use song, music, role-playing, puppetry and other theatrical techniques to help children learn about new concepts, such as numbers and letters. Drama can also help children develop important social-emotional skills like communication, empathy and active learning.
13. How OWIS Approaches Writing in Early Childhood
In our early childhood programme, children don’t just learn how to write — they learn how to write well. In this blog, we share a list of some activities and techniques that help build literacy skills. Every Monday, for instance, our preschoolers write the “Weekend News,” recapping exciting events from the previous Saturday and Sunday.
14. The Importance of Sensory Play
In this blog, we explore the benefits of sensory play. Sensory play is a type of play that engages one or more of the senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. For example, children may use modelling clay to create “pizzas” during a lesson on food. Or, they may use dried beans during a Maths lesson to practise counting and develop fine motor skills.
15. How OWIS Prepares Children for Primary School
We prepare children for primary school by offering an IB PYP curriculum focused on inquiry-based learning and creative expression. Through hands-on activities and thoughtful discussions, young learners develop academic and social-emotional skills essential for primary school. In this blog, we talk more about how OWIS prepares preschoolers for their next steps.
At OWIS, our teachers and staff are committed to providing young learners with a holistic education. Our inquiry-driven, play-based curriculum fosters academic excellence, helping young learners master reading, writing and fundamental Maths concepts. Our curriculum also fosters social-emotional growth through free play, restorative practice, meditation lessons and specific character-building activities.
To learn more about the early childhood programme at OWIS, please contact us today.
(OWIS Nanyang is accredited for the IB PYP, IB DP and Cambridge IGCSE. OWIS Digital Campus will follow the same pathway.)
