School Guide

Stimulating play-based learning at new school

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Feb 19, 2014

When recalling their early experiences at school, many parents have memories of very formal classrooms, tables and chairs in rows and an expectation of silence. Curriculums were rigid, facts needed to be memorized, there was little time for asking questions and play was for outside only.

Times have changed and following extensive research, there is a well established consensus among early childhood professionals that play is an essential element of developmentally appropriate, high-quality early education programmes. IGB International School (IGBIS) is an International Baccalaureate World School that will be offering education to students from three years of age to Grade 11 starting this year, and Grade 12 from August next year. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years will be for children aged three to five and it will be set in bright, stimulating, open-planned classrooms. There will be opportunities for indoor and outdoor learning, a large covered playground with a bike track, sandpit and a pool.

The programme will be delivered by highly experienced, knowledgeable and caring early childhood PYP educators who are skilled in creating a play-based environment that will be relevant, engaging and challenging. Teachers will collaboratively plan units of inquiry that will fascinate and inspire the minds of their young learners. Through the IB Learner Profile, teachers will help students develop the knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action required for future learning. Parent participation will be encouraged and teachers will work in partnership with parents to optimize each child’s own unique learning path.