EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUm: K1-k3 classes (Ages 3-6)
UST believes it is important to remember that children do not come as blank canvases. Each child has their experiences, relationships, environments, family dynamics, and self-interests. We take these facets into consideration when working with each child. Our focus is not to be lecturers in their learning process but to be participants. By this, the educator engages the students in a more facilitator role and guides their learning through a variety of activities. Each child will contribute the learning of their peers by interactions, display of abilities, and peer mentoring.
For certain skills, the students are engaged in direct instruction. This is done in small groups. The small group focus allows the educators to focus on the individual needs of each child and accommodate to fulfill those needs. It also allows the teacher to get to know each child on a personal level and how best to work with them. Students will also have opportunities on a daily basis to work in heterogeneous groups on a variety of projects.
Our Early Childhood curriculum is integrated across subject matters based on a theme for each month. This provides the students an opportunity to experience a variety of subjects in depth and keep them on a routine. The use of routine is essential in keeping a harmonious learning environment. Students are taught expectations and know how to perform based on their understanding of the routine.
In the Early Childhood years there are three areas of learning and development that are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive:
Communication and Language
This area involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
This involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their coordination, control, and movement. Children also learn to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food. A range of equipment and opportunities both indoors and outdoors allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use of their bodily skills.
Social and Emotional Development
Along with academics, we focus on a student’s social skills and appropriate interactions with others to help children develop a positive sense of themselves, to form positive relationships, and to develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behavior in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities. The ability to empathize with classmates is essential to developing a well-rounded member of society, which studies have shown is pivotal in early education.
The above development areas are supported by and developed through the following specific areas of study:
Literacy
Children learn to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. This helps children to understand that written symbols carry meaning and to be aware of the purpose of writing. When they are ready, they can use drawn and written symbols by themselves.
Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest. A well-stocked classroom library gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books. Being able to read independently, confidently and fluently, combined with an enjoyment of reading, are vitally important in becoming a successful learner. At UST children read daily and are encouraged to read at home everyday. Our reading books are leveled using an established book leveling system, which allows the children to read at the appropriate level.
UST follows the Jolly Phonics program for the teaching of phonics. There is daily systematic teaching of phonics and children are carefully assessed to ensure that they are making good progress. The day is structured in such a way that it allows the children to apply their phonics skills across the curriculum.
Japanese
To allow our young learners to lay strong English foundation first, our preschool classes have the Japanese program twice a week in the form of a learning circle that incorporates singing, story-telling and literacy games. In the Kindergarten class, Japanese is taught three times a week, covering emergent reading, writing and calligraphy.
Math
In Math, we focus on developing and improving children's skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, telling time, making measurements, and learning shapes and spaces. Children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing, and counting activities, which form the basis for early mathematics.
Science and Social Studies
Children learn to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Children are supported to explore and understand their environment within the class and the wider community. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding.
Visual Arts and Music
Children explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, and they are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance and imaginative role-play.
Go to Elementary School Curriculum
For certain skills, the students are engaged in direct instruction. This is done in small groups. The small group focus allows the educators to focus on the individual needs of each child and accommodate to fulfill those needs. It also allows the teacher to get to know each child on a personal level and how best to work with them. Students will also have opportunities on a daily basis to work in heterogeneous groups on a variety of projects.
Our Early Childhood curriculum is integrated across subject matters based on a theme for each month. This provides the students an opportunity to experience a variety of subjects in depth and keep them on a routine. The use of routine is essential in keeping a harmonious learning environment. Students are taught expectations and know how to perform based on their understanding of the routine.
In the Early Childhood years there are three areas of learning and development that are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive:
Communication and Language
This area involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
This involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their coordination, control, and movement. Children also learn to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food. A range of equipment and opportunities both indoors and outdoors allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use of their bodily skills.
Social and Emotional Development
Along with academics, we focus on a student’s social skills and appropriate interactions with others to help children develop a positive sense of themselves, to form positive relationships, and to develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behavior in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities. The ability to empathize with classmates is essential to developing a well-rounded member of society, which studies have shown is pivotal in early education.
The above development areas are supported by and developed through the following specific areas of study:
Literacy
Children learn to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. This helps children to understand that written symbols carry meaning and to be aware of the purpose of writing. When they are ready, they can use drawn and written symbols by themselves.
Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest. A well-stocked classroom library gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books. Being able to read independently, confidently and fluently, combined with an enjoyment of reading, are vitally important in becoming a successful learner. At UST children read daily and are encouraged to read at home everyday. Our reading books are leveled using an established book leveling system, which allows the children to read at the appropriate level.
UST follows the Jolly Phonics program for the teaching of phonics. There is daily systematic teaching of phonics and children are carefully assessed to ensure that they are making good progress. The day is structured in such a way that it allows the children to apply their phonics skills across the curriculum.
Japanese
To allow our young learners to lay strong English foundation first, our preschool classes have the Japanese program twice a week in the form of a learning circle that incorporates singing, story-telling and literacy games. In the Kindergarten class, Japanese is taught three times a week, covering emergent reading, writing and calligraphy.
Math
In Math, we focus on developing and improving children's skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, telling time, making measurements, and learning shapes and spaces. Children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing, and counting activities, which form the basis for early mathematics.
Science and Social Studies
Children learn to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Children are supported to explore and understand their environment within the class and the wider community. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding.
Visual Arts and Music
Children explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, and they are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance and imaginative role-play.
Go to Elementary School Curriculum
