Early Childhood Program at the International School of Florence 

Early Childhood Program at the International School of Florence 

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Wed 09 Oct 2024 2:24 PM

For many people, early childhood can be summed up by the image of a curious and eager child staring into a pond to see the magical world of nature unfolding. A three year-old will spend gleeful hours identifying tadpoles and their habitats as the dawning comprehension unfolds of their metamorphosis into froglets and, later, frogs. The power of joy coupled with an educational process is a fundamental requirement to promote positive learning in children. It is with this in mind that the Early Childhood Program at the International School of Florence has developed a curriculum and daily schedule that provides a positive foundation for learning and allows children both the structure and the freedom to thrive. 

It is no surprise then that the youngest children in the Early Childhood Program go by the names of “Tadpoles” and “Froglets”. This choice reflects the rapid pace at which our young ones engage in the learning process. They are nurtured in a safe environment entirely adapted to their ages (3-5), where they engage in transdisciplinary activities that ignite their curiosity and keep them learning joyfully.

Following the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), children are active participants in a community-based curriculum where the aspirational qualities of the IB Learner Profile are being developed and continue through to graduation. The highly experienced and qualified teachers in Early Years support the process of developmental learning by facilitating limitless learning opportunities and ensuring children are engaged at their own physiological and intellectual pace. As teacher Nicky Shamash describes, we make sure to be “responsive to children’s individual interests and choices”. Strong teacher collaboration allows for comprehensive approaches to assessment and instruction, and keeps the classroom dynamic. They are attuned to areas where children may require additional support to ensure necessary academic milestones are being reached.  

There is a strong focus on relationships and children learn they are respected individuals as well as active participants in the classroom. This provides children with a strong sense of self and is a central feature of an ISF education. This positive foundation encourages growth through the yearly curriculum and children are developing motor skills, nurturing creativity, and learning about stories and the early concepts of reading and writing. The physical learning environment in the Early Childhood Program is immensely important, both inside the school and outside. The rolling hills of Bagno a Ripoli provide an outdoor classroom where the “Tadpoles” and “Froglets” are respectfully in contact with nature, rain or shine. Transdisciplinary themes such as How the World Works, Where We Are in Place and Time and Sharing the Planet are explored in multiple contexts and woven into their school activities.

Families are also invited to be active participants in their children’s learning. There are frequent community events and families are welcomed to share their cultural traditions as vital members of a growing and diverse community. This internationally minded approach to education promotes profound lifelong respect for the world’s nationalities and cultures. Engagement with language is another important feature in early years. Children are directly exposed to different languages and made to feel comfortable with the experience that not everyone speaks in the same way. The teachers are always mindful of enhancing language acquisition and learning takes place through play, creativity and school activities. This is the most natural form of education for this age group and allows for the necessary transformation for these young students as they develop into “Frogs”.

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