Kindergarten Curricula

You may have noticed that many schools/recruiters advertise their curricula. These are a large selling point for both teachers and parents.

These are some well-known curricula which are highly favored across the world. As a teacher, you may already have experience in one, or some of these curricula – which is incredibly valuable and ensure to include this on your CV!

Some schools even offer professional growth and you’re able to obtain these certificates whilst working which is a great opportunity if you are considering teaching long term. If this is the case, it may be worthwhile learning more about these curriculums to see which best suits your teaching style and ethos.

Below we have broken down the three most popular curriculums in China at the moment; IB, Montessori and EYFS.

IB

The IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum is well known all over the world in over 5,000 schools and caters for children ages 3-19. The curriculum generally is designed for entry into British Universities – although it is recognised internationally. This is a great selling point for the parents!

The mission of the curriculum is to build lifelong open minded learners. The idea is to encourage the learners to think critically, logically and independently – and able to continue using their new skillset long after they’ve left their education. Overall, it develops the learner both academically and personally.

An IB  teacher will need to be compassionate but strict, to ensure deadlines are met and their education progresses.

Montessori

The Montessori curriculum has programs that begin at the Early Childhood level – from 2.5 years – through to 18 years. It is a holistic approach and very child self-directed. It is a curriculum that allows the children to experiment, and encourages them to find their personal needs and interests.

Montessori focuses on five key areas; practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language and culture. This curriculum recognises that when children are given a level of independence, they will be far more motivated to learn.

A Montessori teacher will be creative, open minded and compassionate. You will require a level of patience and also have the ability to create a relaxed environment.

EYFS

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum focuses on children from 0-5.

EYFS is a framework with four main principles:

• Unique:
  Every child is unique and each one learns differently. Every child is capable of being strong and resilient if given the right guidance.

• Enabling Environments:
  An environment which caters to a child’s needs and allows freedom to develop and broaden their knowledge.

• Positive Relationships:
  A lot of encouragement to be strong and independent whilst feeling safe and secure.

• Learning and Development:
  Every child to learn a wide range of skills to assist their development in all areas.

The EYFS curriculum also has seven main areas of learning:

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication and language

• Physical development

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

An EYFS teacher will enjoy being able to be around young children, be patient and compassionate in nature.

So there you have it! Three of the most common curricula we see in China. We hope this has helped and assists in your next career step!