Reggio Emilia-inspired Learning at Singapore American School’s Early Learning Center

Children take charge of learning at Singapore American School’s Early Learning Center, thanks to the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach – think lots of play and student-led discovery!

At Singapore American School (SAS), they believe that children are capable, curious and competent learners. This is why the self-directed, experiential Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning fits perfectly at their Early Learning Center for preschool and pre-kindergarten students!

Daily Schedule at the Singapore American School Early Learning Center

Wondering what the daily schedule at Singapore American School looks like? While learning happens in a variety of different ways throughout the day (flexibility allows students to be curious and play!), each day includes literacy, mathematics, and units of inquiry, and perceptual motor skills development in “Move and Groove”. Chinese classes are integrated with perceptual motor classes regularly so that children learn the Chinese language as they participate in active movement, helping to better retain the language in their minds!

Play and learning go hand-in-hand at SAS due to the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. It’s how children discover, test out ideas, practice what they have learned in context, and learn social skills. The school highly values ‘play as the engine of learning’ and engages young learners in purposeful play and discovery throughout much of their day. Experiences include socio-dramatic play, blocks and construction, water play, and experimenting with art and sensory, and natural materials. Students also have two recess times each day in which they get to run and play in the playground and ride bikes.

Great Facilities & Resources

An advantage of being part of a large school is the amazing facilities and expertise available. Depending on their areas of inquiry and interest, students can either head over to the school’s very own 1.6 acre rainforest to learn more about nature; check out the high school art studio for a hands-on experience with ceramics and other forms of visual arts; or head to the high school robotics lab to learn more about robotics and mechanical engineering.

Once, a preschool class delved into an inquiry on pollution and waste – so they interviewed Singapore American School’s sustainability planner and visited the school’s composting facilities! As a culmination of all their learning, the students designed and constructed a recycling center in partnership with the facilities and communications offices, and undertook a beach clean-up at Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach.

There’s also a library in the early learning center, with specially curated books to mirror the units of inquiry. Students have library lessons once a week and are able to borrow books of their choice.

Fun Learning Experiences & Outings

When your kids go to Singapore American School, you can expect them to enjoy lots of experiential, exploratory learning under the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. Past activities and outings have included regular visits to the school’s rainforest and eco-garden, trips to Marina Barrage, Sentosa, Bollywood Veggies, Katapult Trampoline Park, the Singapore Zoo, as well as visits to the theater to enjoy plays and musicals! All learning experiences and activities are designed to encourage children’s natural curiosity and wonder, and provoke questions and investigations so that any new knowledge or discovery is co-constructed by children themselves and deeply meaningful to them.

Strong Parent-teacher Collaboration

All Singapore American School teachers have a deep understanding of best practices in early childhood education, and participate in regular professional development to continue deepening their knowledge and practice. This way, teachers are able to personalize each child’s learning experiences to cater to their needs and intentional interests.

SAS also strongly believes in home-school collaboration, and sees parents as important partners in each child’s education. You’ll be happy to know that teachers document the students’ development, learning, stories and activities on Storypark, an online platform that parents are invited to participate in as collaborators. Parents also receive weekly emails summarizing the week’s learning. What’s more, parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year (in October and March) to discuss students’ strengths, goals and growth. Beyond these official communication channels, parents are encouraged to reach out to teachers any time they have questions or concerns.

Want to know more about the SAS Early Learning Center? Get in touch with the school’s admissions team and sign up for a virtual tour!

Singapore American School, 40 Woodlands Street 41, Singapore 738547, Tel: (+65) 6360 6312, [email protected], www.sas.edu.sg