Programme of Learning

Our curriculum includes both teacher-led learning experiences and an inquiry-driven curriculum which draws on the interests of the children, educators, and families and is visible in children’s play and inquiry.

As an accredited International Baccalaureate Continuum School we implement an International Early Learning curriculum that draws on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). Intrinsic to our programme is bilingual, English and Mandarin learning and the development of language as a whole in our early learners.

All our learners are educated in a numeracy and literacy-rich environment that is both challenging and fun. The curriculum within the Early Learning programme is informed by the key educational approaches to early childhood education, where the learner is always at the centre. The underlying pedagogy is play and movement driven and active engagement and shared learning experiences are at the forefront.

Play and learning as part of our curriculum are inseparable: we believe that inquiry-driven, structured and inventive play allows our learners to develop their individual identity, awareness of others and understanding of the world around them.

We pride ourselves on instilling in even our youngest learners a sense of confidence. From their earliest days in our programme, we encourage our children to feel confident in their ability as learners. A safe environment ensures that they can try new things and make choices. Their innate curiosity is encouraged and opportunities for expression are created.

Programme of Learning

Weekly Themes

Our day to day learning draws on a weekly theme and each day involves Literacy/Inquiry, Art and Movement, Play and Rhythm, Arts and Crafts, Inventive Play and Outdoor Play. All activities and developmental skills are linked through the weekly theme and are tailored to the individual learner. For each theme, your child’s teacher will share a list of suitable books and activities for you to work on at home. Some of the themes that we will look at during the year are:

Welcome and Adjustment
Healthy Bodies
New beginnings
Celebrations
Farm Animals
Transportation
Me and My Family
Trees and Plants
Shapes
Food
Colours
Dressing Up Fun
Rainy Days
Summer Fun

Literacy/Inquiry

Our unique "Literacy/Inquiry" programme encourages the development of clear, expressive and fluent speaking skills in our learners. Through language, play and explicit teaching, ‘Literacy Fun’ enhances vocabulary, pronunciation and the use of full sentences in a creative and playful manner. Each class begins with a focus song, followed by rhymes and stories that relate thematically. Each lesson concludes with an art and craft activity and a gross motor task designed to allow the child to better grasp the vocabulary.

Our Literacy Fun sessions aim to:

Develop vocabulary
Promote cooperation and sharing skills
Stimulate social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development
Encourage children to think abstractly as they create experiences
Promote listening and language skills
Develop rhyme and repetition

Mandarin

Our years of experience providing a multi-lingual education sets us apart and we are privileged to have Mandarin teachers and assistants who are specialists in Early Years language learning. The children’s enjoyment during Mandarin classes is clearly visible as is the real progress they make through play and learn.

Our immersion-based Mandarin programme offers even our youngest children the opportunity to develop their mandarin language skills daily. An extremely successful programme, it results in Mandarin acquisition through fun, songs, stories, games and dance.

Our Mandarin programme aims to:

Improve comprehension and confidence
Encourage speaking and conversation in Mandarin
Develop language acquisition skills including listening and vocabulary

Music and Rhythm

During our Music and Rhythm lessons we use percussion instruments, dance and singing to help develop and improve our children's large and small muscle skills, balance and coordination. The singing stimulates their social and emotional development and sharpens their listening skills as well as helping them learn the concepts of tempo, pitch and dynamics.

Our Music and Rhythm Sessions aim to:

Develop both sides of the child’s brain
Help improve large (gross) and small (fine) motor skills, balance and coordination
Develop listening skills through awareness of tempo, pitch and dynamics

Movement and Sensory Play

Our movement and sensory play sessions are designed to help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of our children as they play. The play environment allows children to climb, crawl and explore. Activities are specially designed to engage the children in interactive games that encourage flexibility, confidence and emotional well-being, and build strong bodies and minds.

Our Movement and Play Sessions aim to

Encourage children to use their imaginations
Stimulate curiosity
Experience the joy of discovery
Solve problems
Develop hand-eye coordination
Strengthen control of body muscles

Arts & Crafts

Our daily opportunities for both structured and unstructured arts and craft activities, are designed with motor development, creativity, play and fun in mind. When possible, the activities are linked back to the thematic unit for the week. Children have the opportunity to explore and experiment with colours, paints, multiple textures and a range of materials.

Our Arts and Crafts Sessions aim to:

Develop large and small muscle skills, balance and coordination.
Develop fine motor skills as they maneuver items used in creating their artwork, and holding utensils such as paintbrushes and rollers
Stimulate imagination and inspire discovery of the world around
Expand imagination through painting, printing and collage with emphasis on the creative process, not the end product
Help children learn to plan, observe and explore as they make decisions to bring their unique creations to life

We provide a beautiful and inviting environment based on modern design approaches to early learning. Our open-plan spaces allow the children to explore and experiment while feeling secure. Through "play corners" and "learning centres", children are encouraged to collaborate and to try activities.

Outdoor Play

Our playground has a mix of carefully crafted activities and resources to introduce play, learning to take ‘risks’ and adventure. This is the space where imaginations run wild and great stories are crafted. Our outdoor play areas allow the children to experiment and develop their gross motor skills while connecting with the outside. Children have the opportunity to run, ride and climb using the outdoor equipment and the large open spaces.

Indoor Play

Our tailor designed indoor play environments have an immediate effect on the quality of children’s learning and development. The play spaces are comfortable, and allow the children to explore and experiment in safe areas. The spaces are flexible and accommodate changing interests and needs, while offering immediate opportunities for the development of fine and gross motor development. On rainy Hong Kong days, the children can hone their skills on the gymboree equipment, working together with the teachers on their big muscle development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the ELC programme prepare students for the PYP curriculum?
Our ELC is an environment for young children to gain independence and confidence and begin to develop social, emotional, and learning skills.

Our ELC's play-based learning environment encourages children to inquire and explore independently the learning materials, complementing the IB framework and form a solid basis for future learning. Pupils are guided through learning processes and we encourage autonomous agency by allowing for a child's voice and choices to be reflected within the classroom

How will my child transition into the IB curriculum?
Your child will be given the option to apply to the Nursery section of the School upon completion of the ELC. Our Nursery programme is the first step in the PYP IB learning journey, after which the MYP and DP curriculum will be natural next steps.

What does the Jewish curriculum at Carmel School entail?
Carmel School offers an International stream in our Elsa High School section, providing all students with the opportunity to study a third language (French or Hebrew). International and Main/Jewish streams are blended from Nursery and through Carmel Elementary section, meaning all students follow the same curriculum: students will study Hebrew as well as Jewish traditions, celebrations and customs as part of their curriculum.

What is the student and teacher mix at the Carmel ELC?
Carmel School is comprised of pupils and faculty from all over the world, including America, Australia, UK, Israel, South Africa, Hong Kong, France, Malaysia and India.