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Preschools-int'l-program

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.