Early Childhood Foundations
We believe that each child is a unique individual, capable, curious, and rich in potential.Inspired by the experience and philosophy of schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the Primary Years Programme as our framework, our approach in Early Childhood Foundations means children and adults collaborate as researchers, thinkers, and communicators. Young children grow their ideas through play, observation, questions, and conversations.
At ISP, we leverage a child’s natural curiosity to nurture budding geographers, anthropologists, scientists, readers, writers, and mathematicians.
Our Early Childhood Foundations is a magical place of curiosity and discovery where children are citizens of now and agents of hope. The transdisciplinary projects that children and educators co-construct in their learning environments and atelier are powerful and representative of deep collaborative thought and research. It is a stunning representation of what it truly means to learn through curiosity, build competence, engage compassionately, and take changemaking action each and every day.
LJ (Laura Jo) Evans, ES Associate Principal
Early Years, ECF 3/4 - 5 Philosophy
Early Childhood Foundations at ISP recognises that young children are competent, curious learners from birth. Within the PYP framework, we draw our foundational inspiration from the educational project in Reggio Emilia.
This means children and adults co-construct learning as researchers, inventors, and communicators. Our inquiries are transdisciplinary, connecting sciences, creative arts, and symbolic systems, including language arts and maths.
Our learning spaces embrace the values of agency and social connection. We balance time spent in classrooms with learning outside and in the forest. Open-ended materials and flexible spaces offer children many ways to learn, individually and in small groups, and reflect our diverse identities and interests. By prioritising participation, curiosity, and expressive languages we build foundational and transferable learning for life.
ECF Specialists
Our ECF children attend scheduled specialist sessions each day on rotation. Our specialists are experienced early childhood educators and facilitate age-appropriate learning experiences for curious, competent young children.
Atelier
The Reggio-Inspired Atelier is a creative and hands-on studio that invites children to grow as researchers by representing the PYP classroom project work through an array of languages of expression, including drawing, sculpting, designing, dramatisation, storytelling, and more.
Outdoor Learning
In nature, sensory integration is at its highest and calmest state. Nature calms the senses and also aids in the development of children’s physical and cognitive wellbeing. Regularly exploring our outdoor environment and the nearby forest introduces children early-on to environmental science and biology. It allows children to become aware of the strength and fragility of nature around them, fostering interdependence and authentically developing empathy.
Movement
Children are constantly on the move throughout each day. Thus we curate our outdoor and indoor spaces, including our Elementary school gymnasium, to facilitate a healthy mind-body connection. Our scheduled movement sessions aid students in becoming aware of their bodies and building strength, coordination, and balance. They also become aware of the importance of building healthy habits and learn how to cooperate in a group.
Design and Technology
Our school has a Design and Technology Integration Coach who works to support screen-free technology integration into our learning environments. Our ECF5 classes have a chance to develop design skills in the ES Wonderlab each week.
The Wonder Lab is a dedicated elementary maker space. Students are able to build and create with special tools and materials that will empower and challenge them to problem solve, innovate, build, and creatively communicate their ideas within this space. Located in the elementary school, this new "hub" replicates the great aspects and resources of our Idea Lab in a space that is even more accessible for our primary students.
Early Numeracy and Literacy
At ISP, we fundamentally believe that curiosity drives what and how students learn. Our learning environment is carefully curated to include explicit and implicit numeracy and literacy experiences that develop a wide range of playful, inquiry-based explorations into symbolic and representational learning. We value the importance of skill development through our comprehensive Units of Inquiry, Literacy, and Mathematics programmes. By seamlessly integrating these elements, we empower our young learners to discover their curiosities while experienced educators help to facilitate a strong foundation in essential skills, setting them on a path towards lifelong success.
Stories of Learning, Discovery, and Participation
At the ISP, we nurture young learners as they embark on their journey as writers. By encouraging children to document their learning daily, we create opportunities for authentic self-expression and communication.
In Early Childhood Foundations (ECF 5) at the International School of Prague, we cultivate a love for reading by integrating decodable books into our literacy programme. These simple, engaging books provide a critical bridge between phonics instruction and authentic reading experiences.
Gifts from the ISP Fund have helped us to purchase equipment for the environmental scientists, entomologists, horticulturists, naturalists and carpenters from ECF3/4 to Grade 5. This equipment has supported more children in the garden with nature research, exploration and working with natural materials.
At ISP, we appreciate the wide array of cultures and backgrounds that enrich our community. Our students bring fresh perspectives and dynamic energy to our campus, enhancing the uniqueness of the ISP learning environment.