Preschool program (ib eARLy years)

Age of students

Children ages 3 to 5 can apply for our preschool program

What is the IB Early Years Programme?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Early Years Programme (EYP) is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 5.

It is an inquiry-based program that focuses on developing students' critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a sense of international-mindedness.

The EYP is built on a framework of six transdisciplinary themes that provide a context for learning. These themes are: Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organize Ourselves and Sharing the Planet. These themes are designed to be relevant to the lives of the students and to provide a connection between subjects.

The EYP curriculum is based on the belief that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process. The program is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing teachers to tailor their instruction to the needs of their students. 

The EYP uses a variety of teaching methods, including inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, and real-world problem-solving.

The EYP also places a strong emphasis on the development of the whole child. The program includes social, emotional, physical, and language development, as well as academic learning. This holistic approach helps students to develop important life skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

It is offered by authorized IB World Schools and is continuously reviewed and evaluated to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

It also has a strong emphasis on the development of language and literacy, as well as math and science. The EYP provides opportunities for students to explore and experiment with numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurements, and to develop their understanding of the world around them.

The EYP is designed to be a seamless transition from the Early Years Programme to the Primary Years Programme, as students progress to the next level of education.

 

 

Our Preschool teachers stimulate children through spontaneous and reciprocal interactions.They’re taller, more coordinated and more attentive: they’re 4 year old and their individual personalities are starting to shine. Four-year-olds start to develop a sense of humor that they’ll enjoy sharing by telling silly jokes. This is the time when imaginary friends may be introduced, as well as repetitive imaginary games. They also begin to tell ‘little’ lies in order to keep from getting in trouble. Be prepared for plenty of little tests, as they’ll start to say and do things simply to gauge your reaction. It’s also not unusual for this age group to start asserting themselves, becoming a little bossy. Tattling becomes a favorite pastime, too. Of course, it’s always important to remember that children develop at different rates.

At Maximilian Preschool, we offer integrated approaches to our curriculum with real life contexts, meaningful experiences and opportunities for learning. Discovery learning is provided in both small groups and by independent learning experiences. We are believers that all a school can do and needs to do for their students is to develop their ability to think. We work on the 4 C’s skills with all students: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, to achieve independent thinking.

OUR DEVELOPMENTAL FOCUS AREAS INCLUDE

Lireracy
  • Phonics
  • Poetry
  • Listening comprehension
  • Sight words

Science

  • Life Science
  • Earth Science
  • Physical Science

Physical Education

  • Indoor and outdoor physical activities designed for their age group
  • Writing skills
  • Coordination

Numeracy

  • Thinking and Concepts
  • Mathematical operations – addition and subtraction
  • Sorting,Patterning, Graphing, Estimation, Ordering, Making comparisons
  • Simple fractions
  • Geometry
  • Telling time
  • Place Value
  • Measurements

Social Studies

  • The world around Us
  • Current events
  • Multi Generational events
  • Cultural Diversity

TYPICAL 5 YEAR OLD MILESTONES

Gross Motor Skills

  • Walks on tiptoes and heel-to-toe on balance beams
  • Jumps rope and pumps legs to swing alone
  • Stands and hops on either foot
  • Catches softball-sized ball
  • Increased agility

Cognitive Milestones

  • Recognize and name colors and basic shapes
  • Know the letters of the alphabet and letter sounds
  • Recite their name, address & phone number
  • Understands basic print concepts (words left to right, top to bottom)
  • Knows stories have a beginning, middle and end
  • Counts groups of objects up to 10 and recite numbers to 20
  • Sticks with an activity for 15 minutes, will finish short projects
  • Makes plans concerning how to play, what to build and/or what to draw

Fine Motor Skills

  • Displays ‘hand dominance’ (using one hand more than the other)
  • Uses tripod grip to hold pencil (two fingers and a thumb)
  • Uses scissors to cut out basic shapes, MAY be able to cut a straight line
  • Uses a fork, spoon and knife easily
  • Can wipe and wash after using the bathroom

Language Milestones

  • Uses words to argue and reason with people (uses the word ‘because’ often)
  • Uses most plural words, pronouns and tenses correctly
  • Tell stories, jokes and riddles: might ‘get’ simple puns
  • Uses language to talk about opposites and compare things (“Those red shoes are fancier than the blue ones.”)
  • Talks about things to come as well as things in the past
  • Follows simple multi-step directions

NURTURING YOUNG MINDS, FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND INSPIRING LOVE FOR LEARNING, WE LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE, ONE STEP AT A TIME.