The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) supports key areas of learning through holistic enquiry and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development. Its unique process of learning shifts the focus from measuring outcomes to driving children’s learning and development.
NIS strives to maintain a strong English environment for children and encourages students to speak and practice it in the classroom and playground. At the same time we want to increase opportunities to use Mandarin in the school. As such we encourage the use of both English and Mandarin during school hours.
The IEYC takes into consideration the world our students are, and will be, a part of. Developing an international mindedness through the IEYC helps our students to develop the qualities and attributes they need in order to confidently engage as part of the diverse cultures of which they may be a part.
At NIS we are proud of who we are and value sharing and celebrating this together, while also being open, respectful and accepting of others whether we see similarities or differences.
At NIS we focus on developing equally the students’ knowledge, skills and understanding:
Knowledge—Those aspects of the learning goals that relate to factual information.
Skills—Those aspects of the learning goals that relate to things children are able to do.
Understanding—Those aspects of the learning goals that relate to a deepening awareness children develop as they apply the knowledge and skills they have learned.
The Personal Learning Goals (PLGs) refer to those individual qualities and dispositions we believe children will find essential in the 21st century. They help to develop those attributes that will enable children to be at ease with the continually changing context of their lives.
At NIS we use our Viking characters to help the students learn about the PLGs in a fun and purposeful way, and to encourage the students to continually focus on developing their own character through their learning and everyday lives.
“I feel good with new people places and things.”
“I can share my thoughts and feelings with lots of different people in lots of different ways.”
“I take care of things that aren’t mine, of other people, and my environment.”
“I can use my thinking skills to solve problems, and think about things in different ways.”
“I can work well with lots of different people, and I can take on different roles in a group.”
“I like to find out new things by asking questions and investigating. “
“I can give reasons for the things that I do, and think of how I could do them differently.”
“I work hard until my activities are finished and I keep trying even if it’s difficult for me.”