Curriculum
Learning Areas
ELC supports the 6 areas of development in the early years:
- Approaches to Learning
- Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development & Health
- Language, Literacy & Communication
- Cognitive Development
- Creative Arts
ELC Annual themes
ELC Annual themes follow 10 themes throughout the year and are planned based on the four seasons of Japan. Each month is centered with a specific theme such as insects in July, Me and May Body in April, or Foods and Festivals around the world in November & December.
Each theme also comes with many of the sensory motor and hand-on learning activities planned around it.
| April | Me and May Body |
| May | Weather & Spring |
| June | Family |
| July | Insects |
| August | Summer & Water |
| September | Animals |
| October | Plants and Autumn |
| November December |
Food and World Celebrations and Festivals |
| January | Community Workers & Transportation |
| February March |
Me and the World Around Me |
Circle Time
During the first three years of life, it’s believed that the brain is at its most active stage and displays a remarkable capacity to absorb information.
At Kansai International School, right brain development lessons are based on cutting-edge neuroscience research. Throughout the year we follow the annual themes and more than 20,000 flashcards are used in our ELC classes.
Other activities in Circle Time could also include reading stories or singing songs together!
Japanese Time
Japanese Time is fully taught in Japanese and is aligned with the English Circle Time. Children are led in song, story time, and introduction of hiragana, katakana, Kanji, Japanese holidays/traditions, and practice the songs throughout each month.
Activity Time
Activity time is an important part of our day, and usually involves small-group and large-group activities. Students will work together on a theme-related activity led by a teacher, experiment with creative arts and movements, engage in dramatic play and sensory motor activities.
Constructive Play Time
Children's interests and choices are at the heart of our program. This is a time where our students focus on play and exploration on their own alongside their teachers.
Outside Playtime
Most of our classes spend 20 minutes outside if the weather permits. During this unstructured playtime, our children are encouraged to explore the world around them and test out their growing physical skills.
