The Preschool Experience

The International School of Brussels

THE PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Key Developmental Milestones

Preschool marks a crucial developmental stage in a child's life, characterised by numerous significant milestones. Among the key achievements during this period are the development of social skills, as children learn to interact with peers and form friendships. Cognitive milestones include the acquisition of language and literacy skills, as well as basic mathematical concepts. Motor skills also see significant progress, with children refining their abilities in tasks such as drawing, cutting, and tying shoelaces. Emotional development is another vital aspect, with preschoolers learning to identify and manage their feelings, as well as developing empathy towards others. Moreover, preschool serves as an introduction to structured learning environments, laying the foundation for future academic success. Through playbased activities and guided instruction, children in preschool embark on a journey of discovery and growth, preparing them for the challenges and adventures that lie ahead in their educational journey.

Personalising Learning In the Lower School at ISB we embrace the unique potential within each learner tailor educational experiences to individual strengths, interests & pace empower learners to explore their passions integrate technology seamlessly cultivate critical thinking, and collaborate across diverse perspectives develop learners who confidently navigate the complexities of our world

Character Standards

The International School of Brussels

BECOMING INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS

ISB believes that in order to be International Citizens, successful in and out of school, students need to learn and develop social and emotional competencies.

These competencies are grounded in our Character Standards.

The International School of Brussels

A Balanced and Purposeful Approach

At ISB, we believe every child is strong, confident, and competent.

Our Preschool and Prekindergarten programme blends play-based learning with intentional teaching to ensure each child’s growth in knowledge, skills, and dispositions. A team of highly qualified early years’ teachers design and implement a programme that lays the foundation for impactful and sustained learning outcomes.

Our Approach Is: Developmentally Appropriate Learning experiences are aligned with each child’s age, stage, and individual needs, supporting holistic growth— cognitive, social, emotional, and physical.

Rooted in a Continuum of Learning Teaching is based on a clearly defined progression of knowledge and skills from Preschool through Grade 12, ensuring coherence and continuity across all learning phases.

Purposefully Play-Based Play is recognised as a powerful context for learning.

Educators design rich, engaging environments where children explore, inquire, and build essential knowledge and skills through meaningful pla Personalised and Responsive Educators observe closely, listen deeply, and adapt learning to each child’s strengths, interests, and next steps—supporting differentiated pathways for success.

Intentional and Reflective Teachers use open-ended questions, provocations, and scaffolding strategies to extend learning. Planning is informed by reflective practice and aligned with curriculum outcomes.

Future-Focused Our Early Years educators work closely with colleagues across the school to ensure that foundational learning connects with long-term educational goals, preparing children to thrive as learners for life.

PRESCHOOL LEARNING MODULES: Water

Our 5 Senses

Changes

Description

An exploration of how water moves and interact with different materials and forces.

An exploration of how we use our five senses to explore the world around us.

An exploration of how some changes happen quickly and other changes take place over time.

Connected Disciplines

Science- Physical Sciences

Science- Physical Sciences

Science- Physical Sciences

Learners understand that:

Learners understand that:

Learners understand that:

Conceptual Understandings

Learning Engagements

Water takes on different forms Water moves in different ways People can manipulate water

Water play provides learners with both important sensory and motor opportunities as well as an opportunity to begin to explore important concepts such as cause and effect.

Through this unit learners have an opportunity to observe and interact with water in order to investigate and understand some of its basic properties.

Learners take part in numerous explorations that involve moving water, observing how the water interacts with various materials and how it responds to different actions. Learners experiment with concepts such as absorption and evaporation.

This unit is designed to develop core vocabulary to describe movement and change.

Our senses provide different ways for the body to receive information about the world The different parts of our bodies help us to be able to do things

Drawing a child’s attention to the five senses and discussing them increases their understanding of and ability to communicate about the world around us.

Through this unit learners have an opportunity to use their five senses to explore their natural environment. Through the use of a variety of materials, learners are supported as they learn about different body parts and how they help us hear, smell, taste, touch and see. Through questions and provocations, learners are supported as they make observations using their different senses.

This unit is linked to reading fiction and nonfiction books as well as developing the vocabulary to express their likes and dislikes.

Some changes can be observed and described Some change can happen quickly and some happen over a longer period of time

Changes are constantly occurring around us in both the natural and the human-made world. Observing change allows learners to begin to develop an understanding of how and why changes occur.

Through this module learners observe and participate in experiments that demonstrate simple cause and effect. Through multiple experiences with cooking, learners observe changes that occur quickly. Through planting seeds, learners investigate changes that take place over longer periods of time. After participating in these experiences learners interact with a series of photos that describe the change process for each item.

This module is linked to reading fiction and nonfiction books, developing vocabulary to explain observations and providing them with opportunities to document their observations through mark making.

The International School of Brussels

FOREST AND OUTDOOR LEARNING Forest learning and outdoor education provide young children with a wealth of benefits that contribute to their overall development and well-being.

At ISB, we believe that : exposure to natural environments fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity, promoting a love for learning from an early age. outdoor settings stimulate sensory experiences, allowing children to explore different textures, smells, and sounds, contributing to their cognitive development. physical activity is a natural outcome of outdoor education, promoting gross motor skills, balance, and coordination as children engage in activities like climbing, running, and jumping. outdoor learning enhances creativity and problem-solving skills as children navigate natural challenges and come up with imaginative solutions. spending time in nature has been linked to improved mental health, reducing stress and anxiety. socially, outdoor education promotes teamwork, communication, and cooperation as children engage in group activities and learn to share and take turns. developing a connection with the natural world at an early age instills a sense of environmental stewardship, fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature and a commitment to conservation.

The International School of Brussels

DEVELOPING EARLY SOCIAL, LITERACY AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

In the Preschool children are in the early stages of developing their sense of self and becoming part of a group.

They are being supported in developing independence, coping skills as well as beginning to follow classroom routines.

The beginning of this process involves supporting children to develop skills necessary for a successful transition from home to school.

The Preschool years provide the opportunity for children to extend and develop language, listening and communication skills.

Teachers provide an environment which is rich with stories, songs and rhymes where children can develop an interest and engage with meaningful literacy experiences.

Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas with their teachers and classmates and become confident participating in large and small group settings.

Children experiment with drawing and writing by making meaningful marks.

The children are provided with a broad range of learning opportunities to develop their understanding of number, shape, pattern, measurement and space.

Materials, such as, blocks, puzzles, and manipulatives encourage the development of mathematical language, counting, matching, and sorting.

The International School of Brussels

BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER Transferable skills, also known as portable or universal skills, can be applied across various subjects and situations. These skills are not tied to specific disciplines but rather can be adapted and transferred from one context to another.

Transferable Skills

Strand

Areas of Focus & Development

Collaboration

How can I actively listen to others?

How do I share my ideas and build on the ideas of others?

How do I work together to achieve our shared goals?

Thinking

What do I think I already know about this topic?

How can I decide if information is helpful and accurate?

How does information from different sources connect to each other?

Research

Self-Management

What questions do I have?

How can I find the best evidence for my questions?

How can I organise and record my information?

How do I set effective goals and where am I now in achieving them?

How do I feel and what is contributing to how I feel?

Do I need support?

Grade Level Focus Skills

IDENTIFY CURRENT KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING identify what they currently know and understand about a particular idea, concept or topic. identify gaps in their knowledge and understanding of a particular idea, concept or topic, as well potential misconceptions.

CONSTRUCT QUESTIONS: conduct preliminary research around a broad topic which allows the topic to be narrowed appropriately. construct a powerful research question that requires analysis and conceptual depth. construct smaller questions that lead to a possible answer to a bigger question.

The International School of Brussels

SPECIALIST PROGRAMME Specialist programmes at ISB are essential components of a well-rounded education. These programmes enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, team work, and self expression.

Visual & Performing Arts

Physical Education & Health

Each programme is taught by a Specialist in the respective field.

Body Awareness The Physical Education and Heath programme focuses on the following areas: Motor Skills & Movement Patterns Concepts, Principles, Strategies & Tactics Understanding Healthy Lifestyles

The Arts programme focuses on the following areas: Creating & Performing and Responding & Connecting to visual & musical artworks.

Gross Motor Skills

Well-Being

Beginning at an early age, children are actively involved in outdoor activities like forest hikes and bicycle riding, experiences that persist throughout their school years. These engagements not only forge connections with nature and wellbeing but also instill stamina for walking, laying down the groundwork for lifelong physical movement. When indoors and in small groups, children delve into fundamental locomotor skills and also learn the importance of taking turns. Children are provided with individual feedback to support their motor development and growth.

Through activities like obstacle courses, yoga and exposure to a variety of physical games, children refine through repetition their movement skills, further enhancing collaboration and play experiences while stimulating body and space awareness, sensory and motor development. We like to foster a holistic approach to physical development from the outset of their educational journey.

Visual Arts

Performing Arts

In Preschool our young learners explore and share their perceptions of the world around them in a safe and supportive environment. Creativity is nurtured, fine motor skills refined, and communication facilitated as learners explore the elements of Art through open ended experiences.

In our Preschool Visual Arts programme, young minds are introduced to an array of artistic mediums, from sculpture and construction to painting, drawing, and textiles. Hands-on engagement is at the heart of our approach, empowering our budding artists to immerse themselves in the tactile process of crafting both individual masterpieces and collaborative works of art. Witnessing their individual creations seamlessly meld with those of their peers to form collective treasures fills our students with boundless joy and pride. Within the welcoming spaces of our ECC common area and Chateau, an ever-evolving gallery proudly showcases the imaginative endeavors of our young talents, shining a spotlight on both individual brilliance and collective achievements. Visual Art is a primary language of expression for our preschool learners, the programme plays a crucial role in enriching the preschool experience and lays the foundation for future artistic expression and appreciation of the Arts.

Our youngest ISB students experience music naturally, much as language is learned. In every class they hear a wide range of multicultural songs that open their ears to different harmonies and styles, using props such as scarves to move with the music.

This allows students to physically experience the interconnection of music and movement. When they feel comfortable, they join in singing and echo rhythm and melody patterns, which are similar to words. Small percussion instruments are explored and played by students to begin manipulating and understanding sound. Because the language is music, every student has immediate access to activities in music class.

The International School of Brussels

LANGUAGES PROGRAMME

Languages Pathways

Students, who have demonstrated proficiency in English, access our French language. Additional languages are offered as part of the ISB+ programme, based on demand. ISB follows the Common European Framework for Languages.

English Proficiency

French Foundations A1 Intermediate A2 Inedpendent B1 / C1

Grades 5 & 6 Science & Social Studies in French option

ISB+ Plus Languages Open to all regardless of English Proficiency

HOME LANGUAGE CLASSES Students who speak Hebrew, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, or Swedish have access to one hour a week of a home language class. For Prekindergarten and Kindergarten this has an oral language focus, for students in Grade 1 and 2 this has a focus on early literacy skills.

Hebrew

Spanish

Japanese

Korean

Dutch

Swedish