I Second That Emotion

Emotional intelligence is critical to success in school and life Reading. Writing. ‘Rithmatic. These “three R’s” of education have been embraced as the pillars of education programs around the world. Often overlooked, however, is the necessity for a strong foundation of social-emotional learning that supports a child as he or she works work to excel … Read more

Meet the Principal

Ahead of his arrival in August to take over as Head of School at Renaissance International School Saigon (RISS), Peter Gittins speaks to Oi Vietnam about pioneering the first international school in HCMC, his decades-long career in education and… homework Can you tell us what the international school landscape was like when you were the … Read more

Nguyen Hoang Group Commences Work on International Schools of North America (SNA)’s New Campus

On April 23, Nguyen Hoang Group (NHG) officially began construction work on the International Schools of North America’s new campus at Street No. 20, Him Lam Residential Area, Binh Chanh District, HCMC. Established in 2005, the International Schools of North America is the first and only international school in Vietnam offering the US Program of … Read more

Counting Sheep

Why sleep is important in a child’s development When it comes to sleep, most of us aren’t getting enough—far less than the recommended daily dose of 8–9 hours per night. Many of us suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. While this is a serious issue in adults (for example, it increases the risk of heart disease), … Read more

Sound Affects!!!!!!

Have you heard? Noise can affect learning! Karaoke; I avoided it like the plague for years. Now it turns out that sitting around a microphone with a bunch of friends wailing out a favorite song is great fun. That life changing moment in the Quadrophenia Room off Sukhumvit in Bangkok—when I realized the error of … Read more

A Kinder Experiment

Oi speaks to Thao Nguyen, Juliette Nguyen Khanh and Fang Zhang, the women behind Kinder Academy Preschool, about why nature, arts and a multicultural environment are important in education Tell us how you three met and then decided to open Kinder Academy Preschool (KA). Thao: I never thought I would have my own school, it … Read more

(Not) Ready To Go?

Top tips for emigrating with children Transitioning from one job to another, especially if they are on two different geographical meridians, is exciting. New perspectives, new possibilities and new enticing challenges in our own eyes make everything look perfect. But, no matter how we picture and project our expectations, transitions in action are tough. And … Read more

Acne Agony

“Mom, what’s happening with these pimples on my face?” “Oh, don’t worry, I had them too…” Many people feel acne is a natural condition that should be accepted. It happens to almost 80 percent of the population between 15 and 30 years of age. That’s why they feel that one day it comes, if you’re … Read more

Teacher Dad

Is teaching children in the home really a viable alternative to traditional schooling? Homeschooling parent and professional teacher Ian Kutschke shares his views and experiences. The father of two boys, Ian Kutschke’s decision to homeschool in Ho Chi Minh City was made back home in Canada before the family arrived. When Ian’s wife Lizzy found … Read more

Namaste

Yoga for mindfulness in the elementary classroom What’s the big deal about yoga, anyway? Isn’t it just a bunch of people rolling around on mats, twisting themselves into pretzels or passing out in an overheated room? Far from it. Any yogi will tell you it’s not a form of exercise, but a way of life. … Read more