Our Approach to Learning

The International American Pre-School and Early Elementary School curriculum is based on the renowned Creative Curriculum used in high quality early education settings throughout the world. The Creative Curriculum classroom is a community – a place where learning takes place through positive relationships among children and between children and adults. This developmentally appropriate curriculum promotes learning and development in the social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive areas. The instructional approach is based on initial observation and documentation of what children do and say. Additionally, guest speakers, frequent field trips, and indoor theatrical performances provoke our youngest learners and occasionally their parents. Parental involvement in extracurricular activities is valued at IAS. It helps us to teach and to reflect the influences of culture, family and community. Collectively, this child centered curriculum empowers children to become confident, successful and lifelong learners.

The focus for our youngest groups is on fostering relationships, developing daily routines and exploring personal preferences in a safe, stimulating environment. Since most children learn best through play, our program provides a variety of learning styles that include the kinesthetic, tactile, verbal, auditory and visual modalities to enhance each child’s natural growth and progress.

While conforming to the Creative Curriculum, the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, First and Second grade programs include a project-based approach that is derived from the children’s own questions and special interests. Teachers plan daily schedules that maximize acquisition of desired knowledge and skills through the effective use of time and materials. Children are offered opportunities to learn through independently made choices and through structured activities, individually and in groups.
Friendship development, self-control skills, empathy and positive conflict resolution are taught throughout each day to foster each child’s social and emotional growth. Techniques for letter/sound recognition and immersion in a print rich environment support early literacy while questioning enhances reading comprehension.

Our program aligns with the standards of International Accrediting Bodies and Polish Board of Education.

The child centered curriculum focuses on:

 

 Social and emotional development

 Physical development

 Creative expression/aesthetic development

 Cognitive development

 Language and literacy

 Mathematical thinking

 Scientific thinking

 Studies of the social environment

We stimulate the classroom environment by building challenging learning centers. Throughout each day, children make self-directed and guided choices, participate in small groups and projects, join in whole-group circle-times as well as reflect upon and document their personal learning experiences.

The outdoor backyard, local parks and playgrounds augment daily gross motor activities.

In Our Classrooms

Our Teaching Philosophy

At IAS, we believe that preschool and early elementary school should be a "home away from home." We model and teach positive behavior and relational skills. Phrases like "May I play with you?", "Please, may I have the toy when you are finished?", "Can we play together?" and "Can we share?" are just a few that a child will learn to use and appreciate.

We believe preschool and early elementary school should be a fun, spontaneous and challenging place where children’s curiosities, strengths and values are nurtured and respected.

We believe that play, while feeling comfortable, secure and independent, is the best way for a child to acquire necessary skills.