Int'l preschools offer exciting learning environment

Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta

Going to school for the first time can be a scary thing for preschoolers, but with a good educational system, the school can become a center of fun and excitement for young children.

Providing a comfortable and exciting learning environment is something that is emphasized in many international schools, in addition to their world-class curriculum.

With well-trained teachers and complete educational facilities, they are able to nurture children in a lively learning atmosphere.

In a bid to cater to the different levels of young learners, Tutor Time applies the LifeSmart curriculum that is tailored to the child's needs: Word Smart, Math Smart, Design Smart, Music Smart, Body Smart, Nature Smart, People Smart and Me Smart.

"Everyday, we focus on one Smart as a group activity so we can develop all the smarts of the children and at the same time introduce them to the new setting, which is very different from other schools. We also do activities as much as possible in small groups so the children won't feel inferior or superior to the other children," said Lana Kristine F. Flores, Staff Development Specialist at Tutor Time.

If a child likes to play with blocks and does not want to go to the language area or library, the teacher would put books related to buildings in the block area to encourage her to read. The child can also be encouraged to write, too, after making a structure from the blocks. The teacher will say 'Oh this is a nice building, would you like to draw it?' and then 'Wow, this a is a very nice drawing, can you write the word building?'

With this way, Lana said, learning is going on and the child would not even think that she is being forced to do a language or writing task since it is something that he or she is interested in. Each classroom at Tutor Time is equipped with state-of-the- art computers and access to the internet. The children can learn hand-eye coordination, math, language and logic skills using the age-appropriate software.

Children can also develop social awareness and increase language and math skills through dramatic plays at Tutor Towne Village. It is a child-sized town, which has a home, grocery store, and post office.

Parents can track their children's progress through video images that shows what is going on in the classroom. Parents also receive a LifeSmart journal that provides information on how their children learn to feel good about themselves, to be friends and to turn thoughts into words.

To enable young learners to appreciate the technological and multi-cultural environment within which they live, the Singapore International School (SIS) provides a curriculum that is modeled after the Singapore education system.

The international environment demands that SIS acquaint its students with their own heritage as it nurtures them to be confident and principled, with a strong sense of civic responsibility and respect for their host country.

"It is a child-centered education that has a balance between academic activity and play. Due to this balance, the children can excel emotionally, physically as well as academically. The children are well prepared for entering the primary school levels without experiencing it as stressful," said Peter JM Konings, the SIS Marketing and Parents Relations Director.

The Singapore-based education system nurtures its students into a wider world and trains them to be equipped with skills to take greater responsibility for their learning and to ensure their own survival.

The SIS curriculum also encourages parental involvement at all levels in a child's holistic development in the pursuit of high academic standards.

Hands-on learning provides students with first-hand experiences, and makes learning more meaningful. Children are encouraged to be creative and to express ideas and formulate solutions to problems. For example, students are taught to appreciate the environment in which the natural resources are being depleted everyday.

The students are also given opportunities to work in groups and individually to transfer the knowledge learnt in the classroom into new learning situations.

In total, there are more than 2,000 students in SIS's seven schools in Medan, Cilegon, Semarang, and Jakarta (Pantai Indah Kapuk, Kelapa Gading, Kebon Jeruk and the main campus, Bona Vista). The school fees vary at every campus, depending on facilities and composition of teachers. Each school is equipped with fully air-conditioned classrooms with fresh-air inlets that conform to US standards, library, computer lab, arts room, Chinese class, science room, and pre-school play area (indoor and outdoor).

To assist students develop their individual talents and help them to relate their classroom experiences to the realities of the world outside, Sekolah Global Jaya has applied the International Baccalaureate kindergarten to 6 primary year programs. The young learners can clearly articulate how best they learn, how they will know what they have learned and what they want to learn.

"The teacher still drives the essential objectives of what we want them to know but the students control how they act and what they feel through an inquiry approach to learning. Teachers clearly define what they want students to understand. This fascinating learning experience not only 'touches' students but students and parents alike," said the school's Primary Principal, Kathryn Young.

Students are expected to develop international understanding and work towards becoming responsible global citizens. The school provides a wide range of facilities, equipment and resources for early childhood development.

There is also a swimming pool, IT laboratory, large playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, gymnasium, dance room, performing arts center and drama room. There is no joining fee for kindergarten. The school fee is Rp 3 million per month and there are no other extra fees except for the uniform (approximately Rp 200,000 for 3 sets of uniform).

Each year, books (in Bahasa Indonesia and English), manipulative tools, out-door and indoor play equipment are upgraded to give students not only joy but encourage each of them to become problem solvers and critical thinkers.

Students develop skills to become collaborative team members, respecting others and learn to become moral and tolerant individuals. They speak, read and write about their learning both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

The parent's role is an important aspect of each child's education. Parent representation on the curriculum and reporting committees is further evidence of parent participation. Parents are invited to be involved in their child's education.

Workshops are organized and run to keep parents informed about curriculum issues. The class parents and the Parents-teachers Association (PTA) are active people and bodies that support and work with staff.

"Education at Sekolah Global Jaya is transparent; nothing is hidden from parents. If a problem arises then it is carefully and sensitively dealt with. Parents are assured of a high quality, international standard education at Sekolah Global Jaya."

Nasional Montessori Preschool also adopts learning activities that works naturally with the children's developmental needs.

Adopting the Montessori curriculum, the preschool introduces five interconnected fundamental subject areas such as Practical Life, Sensorial Arts, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Arts.

The students also learn predetermined skills such as writing and do some rote memorization as in other traditional schools.

"Our emphasis is respect for the child's interest and abilities. With this curriculum, the preschoolers are able to acquire spontaneous concentration, possess positive work habits, become independent, gain a sense of responsibility for themselves and others, as well as gain vast information about the world," said Phoebe Widodo of Nasional Montessori Preschool.

The children are trained to able to become independent as early as preschool age so they are able to dress up, tidy up their things and eat by themselves.

The children who need more attention and assistance receive sufficient attention while the fast learners are not held back.

The children are also exposed to other languages besides Bahasa Indonesia, such as English and Mandarin. Close relationship with the dedicated, loyal teachers who imparts knowledge with tender and loving care has given parents no worries.