Early Years (Ages 3 - 6)
A balanced approach to learning
The Early Years at Vientiane International School includes children from three to six years old. We nurture a love of learning through play-based inquiry and intentionally designed learning experiences in a safe and joyful environment.
In the Early Years at VIS we believe…
- Early childhood is a unique time when children are developing their views of themselves, others, and the world around them.
- Children are full of wonder and curiosity.
- Learning is a journey -exploring, playing, questioning, and discovering should be savored and enjoyed.
- Children have their own ideas and are capable of constructing meaning through encounters with their environment and the people in it.
- Building relationships within a supportive community is a foundational part of learning and an essential element in developing the whole child.
Learning Through Play
“Play provides benefits for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development for students from all socio-economic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds…” (IBO).
We believe play is foundational to children’s development and is the means by which they discover and experience their world. Through play, children develop dispositions of the IB Learner Profile by collaborating, making judgements, learning how to learn and developing independence and autonomy with the support of teachers. During play children develop vital social and self-management skills as they become contributing members of their communities. A child’s interests and personal experiences are expressed, explored and enhanced through play. Through play, children begin to develop their view of themselves as learners, their sense of autonomy and identity and build confidence in making decisions.
The Learning Environment
Our learning environment is fundamental to the child’s learning experience and is considered the third teacher (in addition to their relationships with parents and teachers). The environment is designed to enrich all aspects of a child’s development. We believe that the learning environment should be safe and secure but also challenging so that it encourages a healthy level of risk-taking. We value indoor and outdoor learning spaces that provide authentic, open-ended learning opportunities and materials. We aim to develop environments that are responsive, connected to students’ interests, and inspire curiosity and creativity. Children thrive when they spend time outside in open natural spaces and have the opportunity to develop their full physical potential. Time spent outdoors can promote emotional wellbeing and a deeper appreciation of nature.
Communication, Language & Literacy
In the Early Years we aim to develop a love of literacy. Children are immersed in a language-rich environment and provided with daily opportunities to explore and engage in authentic speaking, listening, reading and writing experiences. A strong foundation in communication, language and literacy begins with building oral language skills which empower children to be effective communicators, build relationships, make meaning and express themselves. At VIS, we value the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community. The development of a child’s home languages are foundational to conceptual understanding and future language learning. We, therefore, promote and celebrate the many languages in our Early Years community.
Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.
The PYP framework is a unique educational model that focuses on both how children learn and who they are as learners. It positions students as active participants in their education, emphasizing their needs, interests, and abilities.
Core Principles
The PYP framework operates on a few key principles:
Student-Centered Learning: The curriculum is built around the students themselves. Their individual needs and interests guide the learning process. This approach helps ensure that the education is relevant and engaging for each child.
Students as Agents: The framework sees students as "powerful agents of their own learning." They are not just passive recipients of information; they are competent partners in their education, taking an active role in discovering and understanding new concepts.
Holistic Development: The PYP aims for a balanced investment in various learning outcomes, including knowledge acquisition, skill development, conceptual understanding, positive attitudes, and taking responsible action.
Garden Studio
Each day, our Early Years learners participate in Garden Studio. During this time, children engage in a wide range of learning activities with autonomous choice. We provide opportunities to spark curiosity and creativity through authentic, hands-on learning experiences in Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, sensory exploration, and meaningful connections with nature, our community and the Lao culture. This is a critical and intentional time for authentic development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, communication skills, and agency.