ISMILE uses a thematic approach in our Mandarin program which combines stories, songs, rhymes, language activities, reading and writing. Vygotsky’s Key to Learning, Music & Movement and the Project Work in the Mandarin language is also mindfully integrated in the program. Children’s listening and oral skills are developed as they learn the basic strokes and their order in forming simple characters. The Hanyu Pinyin of the Mandarin language is also introduced in kindergarten levels. Singapore-produced books are used in tandem with our own materials to prepare the children for Primary 1.

Our Mathematics program emphasises the development of fundamental Mathematical concepts from the concrete to the abstract. The language-oriented and problem-solving approach involves interesting hands-on activities that make Mathematics fun and challenging. We use a combination of our own materials, Montessori and Key to Learning. Our program equips students with a variety of thinking strategies that they can use to solve problems effectively and confidently even at an early age.

We offer a unique approach to art that is inspired by the Reggio-Emilia preschools. Some highlights in our art program are – the presence of an artist-in-residence, use of environmentally friendly materials, non-prescriptive art explorations which emphasise not just the product but the work-in-progress, and a wide array of aesthetic options being made accessible.

The Atelier, is a designated room, just for art-related activities that offer possibilities beyond painting, printing, handcraft, drawing and collage work, which allows individual and group creations.

Every year in Term 3, the children will do project work based on the Reggio Emilia Inspired Approach. We believe that the collaborative involvement of children in the project work which follows their interests will enrich and add a new dimension to children’s learning; meaningful life skills applications, open-ended extended learning which often require children to go into communities as researchers, investigators and problem-solvers indeed give the children learning skills for the years ahead.  

Project work differs for every class depending on the interests and concensus of the children. They play an integral part in making choices and determine the direction the project takes which is why they are very much vested in the on-going, multi-faceted learning that a project offers. Project work is done in three phases:

• Phase 1 – Brainstorming, questioning, discussing & planning
• Phase 2 – Investigating, interviewing & field trip
• Phase 3 – Selecting, compiling information & presenting

Project work culminates in an Open House where children take pride in presenting and sharing with their parents what they have learnt.