Helping children develop holistically at Saigon International School ISSP

At primary school age, in order to absorb knowledge in the best way, children need to be prepared psychologically and physically. The creative and scientific approach will help children to be healthy, ready to learn and develop holistically.

Resonance of many factors

For decades, studies have demonstrated that a well-rounded education system needs a link between a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and academic development and physical and mental health.

According to researcher Laura E. Hernández, education for the holistic development of children prioritizes ensuring children’s need for social inquiry, so that children can develop to their full potential. The outcome of holistic development depends on the access to further learning opportunities within and outside of school, as well as the school environment and student relationships.

Education systems that are holistically oriented to the student will promote healthy learning and development. This includes designing learning environments to support children; developing curriculum, instruction and assessment for deeper learning; having policies to help children hone more soft skills such as teamwork skills, or problem solving. In addition, extracurricular programs also play an important role for children to develop comprehensively physically and have a healthy and happy spirit.

Balance between mind and body

The key to a child’s positive and happy life is to let that child develop naturally. To do that, parents and teachers need to establish appropriate child-rearing rules in terms of knowledge, skills and health.

At home, parents should encourage special abilities, applaud and praise children’s efforts, and respect their different approaches to knowledge. Encouraging children to read will help children develop language, reading skills and help them think positively. In addition, alternating between study and reading time, parents should also arrange time for their children to be active. With the current social distancing directive, children have little opportunity to meet and play with friends, so indoor activities between parents and siblings are also a way to develop physically and mentally. Getting together as a family to eat meals, play sports, or play games will help your children develop emotionality.

According to Mr. Nathan Bennetts, Head of Primary Grade at Saigon International School ISSP, schools should give children the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts: “In lessons, teachers need to integrate developmental activities. Soft skill development contains themes and values ​​such as sharing, helping friends, or modifying, accepting each other’s strengths and weaknesses, etc. Teachers should praise the efforts of children.”

At ISSP, the teaching method for the comprehensive development of children is the core educational goal. The International School ISSP always focuses on equal development so that the children are equipped with the most positive knowledge, skills and spirit to become global citizens in the future”, Mr. Nathan emphasized.

In addition to cultural knowledge, ISSP’s Art subjects help students not only actively choose their journey in art, but also strengthen their knowledge and culture about civilizations around the world. In the Art subject, children can choose their favorite materials to create artworks such as paints, wool yarn, or paper mache. Students will also learn about how people in different countries express their artistic spirit and, from there, create their own work.

The artistic journey is followed by Music classes, where students can sing, dance, or rehearse world-renowned musicals to hone their self-expression, imagination and creativity.

ISSP’s Physical Education Program is designed to strengthen the development of all-round motor skills. Along with that, the school’s more than 70 after-school extracurricular activities will help children discover hidden talents and enhance their creativity, so that children will develop comprehensively in knowledge, skills and physical as well as spiritual abilities.

International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) belongs to the international school system of Cognita Education Group (UK) with more than 80 school members worldwide. ISSP is one of the few international preschools and primary schools in Vietnam that is fully certified by two world-renowned educational quality inspection organizations, CIS (Council of International School) and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). Currently, ISSP is also the candidate school teaching IB PYP recognized worldwide.

Source: dantri.com.vn