Early Education at Renaissance International School Saigon

Creativity and Scientific Thinking in Early Childhood

In the words of British educationalist Sir Ken Robinson, “Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.” Ten years ago, this speech set in motion a new trend in worldwide educational reform. Following this momentum, modern parents are now seeking early academic programs that nurture both creativity and talent in their children. In fact, a balanced curriculum that develops creativity and scientific thinking plays a particularly crucial role in stimulating intelligence in children from between two to five years old.

As one of the leading international schools in Vietnam in terms of delivering a modern and internationalized British curriculum, Renaissance International School Saigon has successfully employed a new strategy in Early Years/Foundation Stage education that has been accepted with great excitement by all pupils. The “Early Years Playground Creation Challenge” is a new initiative that presents challenging tasks within the scope of a child’s ability and means to develop comprehensive solutions. This strategy has helped children to learn through play, stimulating their creativity and allowing them to develop and practice scientific thinking.

dsc02095

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

As part of the challenge, children were posed a series of engaging and open questions to help them to conceive of and describe their ideal playground by encouraging them to remember and discuss favorite playgrounds that they had visited before. In great excitement, the children would raise their hands and take turns to talk about their best-loved moments playing on castles, slides, and colorful swings. The activity was guided by Renaissance’s belief that children should be encouraged to develop their skills by describing things, as this helps children to practice their abilities in memorization and to draw on their own sources for stimulating imagination and creativity.

Their next activity, called “Little Designers”, enables children to draw their own ideal playground following the dedicated instructions of their teachers.

“I want a big bouncy castle!” Lily called out eagerly as she raised her little hand. Her opportunity to share her ideas and discuss them with others is in part made possible by the school’s small class sizes—in line with international standards that allow teachers to focus on helping each pupil individually.

Renaissance cherishes and supports children to verbalize their creative ideas, recognizing that major initiatives can have their origins in simple initial concepts. This strategy inspires children’s creativity and imagination in their early years, laying the foundation for their comprehensive development in the future.

bi-plan

Promote Thinking from Learning and Playing

The “Playground Creation Challenge” was a combined and integrated activity designed to stimulate logical thinking in children, involving pupils in ways that boosted their confidence and energy. Through the story “Farmer Duck”, teachers were able to instruct children on how to build on their creative playground plan through drawings. Subsequently, while playing cutting games, the teacher guided children in how to recognize, organize, and categorize all the playing equipment into different groups. Finally the challenge ended, and our “little designers” met the “supplier” who would be in charge of building their playground, and received feedback on the feasibility of their creative plan.

From these activities, our students practiced scientific thinking—increasing their cognitive capacities and learning how to organize things logically. This provided them with an opportunity to properly perceive information and practice good analytical thinking skills, stimulating the development of their personal levels of intelligence.

The challenge ended with joy and happiness as pupils looked forward to welcoming in the next challenge with their teachers and friends. Renaissance was one the first schools to provide an outstanding creative environment for children to experience more advanced ways of thinking in early childhood. This is also a goal that Renaissance International School Saigon has been striving to achieve, in order to improve students’ confidence and creativity—a basis for every child to gather their strength for future development.

playground-5a

TEXT AND IMAGES PROVIDED BY RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SAIGON

Share this story, choose your platform!

About the author:

Leave a Comment

What to Do When Your Ex Stops Paying Their Share of Debts

Divorce is often compared to a stormy sea that we navigate, seeking calm waters and fair settlements. Yet, even with the best intentions and court orders, there’s always a chance that your ex may not fulfill their obligations when it comes to shared debts. When the tide turns and your ex stops paying their fair

Read More »

Does Kratom Help With Anxiety: What You Need to Know About Using Kratom?

Kratom, with its various types of strains, is becoming a popular natural option for those seeking to manage anxiety in a positive way. Each strain offers unique effects, ranging from energizing to more calming and mood-boosting, making it a versatile choice for individuals exploring natural remedies.  Many users share positive experiences, noting how different strains

Read More »

Exploring the Great Outdoors: A Family’s Guide to Camping

Planning ahead, choosing the right date and campsite, and involving the whole family ensures a successful camping trip. Unplugging from technology and embracing the beauty of nature can enhance the camping experience. Engaging in family activities during camping fosters unity and strengthens family bonds. Purchasing necessary travel gear from a reliable source ensures a comfortable

Read More »

The Best Ways To Protect Your SkinAnd Eyes When Outdoors

Spending time outside is great for our health. You breathe fresh air, exercise, and feel good. It’s important to have some hobbies or sports that you regularly take part in outside. But the sun can harm your skin and eyes if you’re not careful. Protecting yourself from the sun is important. If you don’t, your

Read More »

Life

Life is about progression, moving forward, and taking decisive actions toward our objectives. It’s about reaching milestones that resonate within us and illuminate the path to our dreams. Milestones can differ from person to person and from culture to culture. However, there are a few significant events that are universally accepted as major life milestones.

Read More »