Preschool

List of 7 items.

• German Language Acquisition

  At GISC Preschool, children with all levels of German language ability, from absolute beginners to native speakers, are welcomed, supported, and challenged. Teachers speak English to children in emotionally-charged situations and in the first weeks of school while students acclimate.
  
  

  German language and literacy skills for all levels  are fostered through:

  • Rhymes
  • Songs
  • Movement
  • Hands-on materials
  • Board games
  • Group activities
  • Reading books and listening
  • Sharing thoughts and stories
  • Engaging children in conversations
  • Mixing age groups and different levels of German language aquisition

  Many of our books and games are imported from Germany, but we also integrate materials from all over the world to foster open-mindedness, intercultural awareness, personal and social identity, and anti-bias goals.

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• Project-Based Learning

  GISC's preschool has adopted the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate which reflects many of our philosophical beliefs:

  • Student inquiry is highly encouraged
  • GISC Preschool values and encourages curiosity
  • Offering engaging, real-life, sensory rich and purposeful hands-on activities
  • Discovery-based and child-lead learning
  • Active participation: The PYP promotes student agency
  • Teachers are role models in how they speak with children and engage them
  • The PYP promotes transdisciplinary learning that creates meaningful and deeper learning for children

• Child-Centered Approach

  Our preschool teachers nurture each child by adhering to a child-centered approach, which includes:

  • Maintaining small group sizes
  • A student-teacher ratio of 8:1
  • Valuing the child’s personality and background
  • Planning curriculum around student interests
  • Offering a daily structure that offers security in routines
  • Giving students agency for their learning
  • Fostering a caring and empathetic relationship with students

  We make sure that our students feel safe, included, and valued. In short, we believe that every student must belong and matter in our preschool.

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• Skills & Cognitive Competencies

  Our curriculum guidelines foster a variety of skills and cognitive competencies:

  • Pre-writing skills
  • natural, scientific, and environmental competencies
  • Intercultural learning
  • Art, music, and dancing
  • Early math skills

• Pre-Kindergarten Program

  Students turning 5 years of age until September of the following school year are called “Maxis”. Through a targeted curriculum, they develop and strengthen their cognitive and emotional skills for their next big step: Kindergarten / Vorschule.

• Social-Emotional Competencies

  The social-emotional growth of our preschool presents itself through their self-confidence, resilience, and persistence. We foster and encourage: 

  • Life skills (e.g. getting dressed, opening lunch bags independently)
  • Problem solving skills
  • Communication of needs, wishes and feelings
  • An understanding and expressing need for boundaries
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Dealing with and understanding frustration
  • Adaptation to new situations
  • Development of a positive image of self

• Our Learning Environment

  • Classrooms are warm and welcoming 
  • Learning centers foster development 
  • Classroom materials and displays change with units
  • Student work is valued by displaying it around our campus
  • Mixed-age groups foster empathy and social awareness 
  • Our large playground offers ample discovery opportunities for every child
  • Our students plan, plant, and care for their own school garden
  • Physical development is fostered through daily activities
  • A sense of community: GISC students meet on the playground, learn from each other, and play together
  • Parent participation is welcomed and encouraged
  • Intercultural, welcoming, nurturing, and open-minded atmosphere