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\nANPAd..r..
\nPreschools-int'l-program<\/p>\n
Int'l preschools offer exciting learning environment<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis
\nContributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Going to school for the first time can be a scary thing for
\npreschoolers, but with a good educational system, the school can
\nbecome a center of fun and excitement for young children.<\/p>\n
Providing a comfortable and exciting learning environment is
\nsomething that is emphasized in many international schools, in
\naddition to their world-class curriculum.<\/p>\n
With well-trained teachers and complete educational
\nfacilities, they are able to nurture children in a lively
\nlearning atmosphere.<\/p>\n
In a bid to cater to the different levels of young learners,
\nTutor Time applies the LifeSmart curriculum that is tailored to
\nthe child's needs: Word Smart, Math Smart, Design Smart, Music
\nSmart, Body Smart, Nature Smart, People Smart and Me Smart.<\/p>\n
\"Everyday, we focus on one Smart as a group activity so we can
\ndevelop all the smarts of the children and at the same time
\nintroduce them to the new setting, which is very different from
\nother schools. We also do activities as much as possible in small
\ngroups so the children won't feel inferior or superior to the
\nother children,\" said Lana Kristine F. Flores, Staff Development
\nSpecialist at Tutor Time.<\/p>\n
If a child likes to play with blocks and does not want to go
\nto the language area or library, the teacher would put books
\nrelated to buildings in the block area to encourage her to read.
\nThe child can also be encouraged to write, too, after making a
\nstructure from the blocks. The teacher will say 'Oh this is a
\nnice building, would you like to draw it?' and then 'Wow, this a
\nis a very nice drawing, can you write the word building?'<\/p>\n
With this way, Lana said, learning is going on and the child
\nwould not even think that she is being forced to do a language or
\nwriting task since it is something that he or she is interested
\nin. Each classroom at Tutor Time is equipped with state-of-the-
\nart computers and access to the internet. The children can learn
\nhand-eye coordination, math, language and logic skills using
\nthe age-appropriate software.<\/p>\n
Children can also develop social awareness and increase
\nlanguage and math skills through dramatic plays at Tutor Towne
\nVillage. It is a child-sized town, which has a home,
\ngrocery store, and post office.<\/p>\n
Parents can track their children's progress through video
\nimages that shows what is going on in the classroom. Parents also
\nreceive a LifeSmart journal that provides information on how
\ntheir children learn to feel good about themselves, to be friends
\nand to turn thoughts into words.<\/p>\n
To enable young learners to appreciate the technological and
\nmulti-cultural environment within which they live, the Singapore
\nInternational School (SIS) provides a curriculum that is modeled
\nafter the Singapore education system.<\/p>\n
The international environment demands that SIS acquaint its
\nstudents with their own heritage as it nurtures them to be
\nconfident and principled, with a strong sense of civic
\nresponsibility and respect for their host country.<\/p>\n
\"It is a child-centered education that has a balance between
\nacademic activity and play. Due to this balance, the children can
\nexcel emotionally, physically as well as academically. The
\nchildren are well prepared for entering the primary school levels
\nwithout experiencing it as stressful,\" said Peter JM Konings, the
\nSIS Marketing and Parents Relations Director.<\/p>\n
The Singapore-based education system nurtures its students
\ninto a wider world and trains them to be equipped with skills to
\ntake greater responsibility for their learning and to ensure
\ntheir own survival.<\/p>\n
The SIS curriculum also encourages parental involvement at all
\nlevels in a child's holistic development in the pursuit of high
\nacademic standards.<\/p>\n
Hands-on learning provides students with first-hand
\nexperiences, and makes learning more meaningful. Children are
\nencouraged to be creative and to express ideas and formulate
\nsolutions to problems. For example, students are taught to
\nappreciate the environment in which the natural resources are
\nbeing depleted everyday.<\/p>\n
The students are also given opportunities to work in groups
\nand individually to transfer the knowledge learnt in the
\nclassroom into new learning situations.<\/p>\n
In total, there are more than 2,000 students in SIS's seven
\nschools in Medan, Cilegon, Semarang, and Jakarta (Pantai Indah
\nKapuk, Kelapa Gading, Kebon Jeruk and the main campus, Bona
\nVista). The school fees vary at every campus, depending on
\nfacilities and composition of teachers. Each school is equipped
\nwith fully air-conditioned classrooms with fresh-air inlets that
\nconform to US standards, library, computer lab, arts room,
\nChinese class, science room, and pre-school play area (indoor and
\noutdoor).<\/p>\n
To assist students develop their individual talents and help
\nthem to relate their classroom experiences to the realities of
\nthe world outside, Sekolah Global Jaya has applied the
\nInternational Baccalaureate kindergarten to 6 primary year
\nprograms. The young learners can clearly articulate how best they
\nlearn, how they will know what they have learned and what
\nthey want to learn.<\/p>\n
\"The teacher still drives the essential objectives of what we
\nwant them to know but the students control how they act and what
\nthey feel through an inquiry approach to learning. Teachers
\nclearly define what they want students to understand. This
\nfascinating learning experience not only 'touches' students but
\nstudents and parents alike,\" said the school's Primary
\nPrincipal, Kathryn Young.<\/p>\n
Students are expected to develop international understanding
\nand work towards becoming responsible global citizens. The school
\nprovides a wide range of facilities, equipment and resources for
\nearly childhood development.<\/p>\n
There is also a swimming pool, IT laboratory, large
\nplayground, soccer fields, basketball courts, gymnasium, dance
\nroom, performing arts center and drama room. There is no joining
\nfee for kindergarten. The school fee is Rp 3 million per month
\nand there are no other extra fees except for the uniform
\n(approximately Rp 200,000 for 3 sets of uniform).<\/p>\n
Each year, books (in Bahasa Indonesia and English),
\nmanipulative tools, out-door and indoor play equipment are
\nupgraded to give students not only joy but encourage each of them
\nto become problem solvers and critical thinkers.<\/p>\n
Students develop skills to become collaborative team members,
\nrespecting others and learn to become moral and tolerant
\nindividuals. They speak, read and write about their learning both
\nEnglish and Bahasa Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The parent's role is an important aspect of each child's
\neducation. Parent representation on the curriculum and reporting
\ncommittees is further evidence of parent participation. Parents
\nare invited to be involved in their child's education.<\/p>\n
Workshops are organized and run to keep parents informed about
\ncurriculum issues. The class parents and the Parents-teachers
\nAssociation (PTA) are active people and bodies that support and
\nwork with staff.<\/p>\n
\"Education at Sekolah Global Jaya is transparent; nothing is
\nhidden from parents. If a problem arises then it is carefully and
\nsensitively dealt with. Parents are assured of a high quality,
\ninternational standard education at Sekolah Global Jaya.\"<\/p>\n
Nasional Montessori Preschool also adopts learning activities
\nthat works naturally with the children's developmental needs.<\/p>\n
Adopting the Montessori curriculum, the preschool introduces
\nfive interconnected fundamental subject areas such as
\nPractical Life, Sensorial Arts, Language, Mathematics
\nand Cultural Arts.<\/p>\n
The students also learn predetermined skills such as writing
\nand do some rote memorization as in other traditional schools.<\/p>\n
\"Our emphasis is respect for the child's interest and
\nabilities. With this curriculum, the preschoolers are
\nable to acquire spontaneous concentration, possess
\npositive work habits, become independent, gain a sense
\nof responsibility for themselves and others, as well
\nas gain vast information about the world,\" said Phoebe
\nWidodo of Nasional Montessori Preschool.<\/p>\n
The children are trained to able to become independent
\nas early as preschool age so they are able to dress
\nup, tidy up their things and eat by themselves.<\/p>\n
The children who need more attention and assistance
\nreceive sufficient attention while the fast learners
\nare not held back.<\/p>\n
The children are also exposed to other languages besides
\nBahasa Indonesia, such as English and Mandarin. Close
\nrelationship with the dedicated, loyal teachers who imparts
\nknowledge with tender and loving care has given parents no
\nworries.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jphencd-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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