HEI PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM
HEI Schools is an award-winning International Preschool from Finland that has consistently been ranked at the top of the World’s Best Education Charts. Our pedagogy and curriculum are designed based on the latest research in early childhood education from our co-founding partner, the University at Helsinki. Our lessons and approach have been tested in preschools across Finland with positive proven results.
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HEI Schools Bangkok believes in the power of creativity that leads to innovative ways in educating children of the 21st century. The HEI Way explains the basic philosophies that the HEI concept is based upon and serves as the foundation for all HEI Schools.
HEI WAY
CURIOSITY & CREATIVITY
Curious children are creative children.
Curiosity is the driving force of learning. Creativity stems from playful exploration. We create rich learning environments for children to explore with their senses. When natural curiosity is acknowledged and nurtured, children begin to ask questions about the world around them.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Children have the right to be heard and included.
Children have a variety of ways to express their opinions, create their own play, and show their emotions. We encourage participation by giving children opportunities to make decisions regarding their daily lives. This supports the children’s growth as responsible members of society, while strengthening their confidence and sense of belonging.
CULTURE OF TRUST
Culture is built on mutual respect and a commitment to shared responsibilities.
Feeling safe, respected, and trusted are basic preconditions for any human being to learn. When people trust each other, they grow and learn. When children are surrounded by a culture of trust, they are free to explore, experiment and move through their space with ease.
SUSTAINABLE WAY OF LIVING
Taking care of our communities without compromising the planet.
Sustainability is not only about being environmentally aware. At our schools children are educated to be respectful and compassionate people who respect diversity and contribute to creating a more sustainable world — both culturally and environmentally.
LEARNING EVERYWHERE & ALL THE TIME
Learning is a constant, complex and interconnected process that isn’t limited to specific activities or only inside a classroom. At our preschools learning is approached holistically, where each interaction – with other children, teachers or nature – presenting a possibility for learning. Our learning environments are carefully designed to encourage children to interact, explore, rest and unwind.
HEI PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
At HEI Schools, we support the child’s learning and holistic growth by combining education, upbringing, and care. Education is supported by pedagogical practices that take place on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Upbringing is provided through the means of passing on cultural heritage and social norms from one generation to another. Care is granted by responding to the child’s social, emotional and physical needs.
HEI Schools concept is inspired by Finnish Early Childhood Education, enhancing the child’s perspective, active participation, curiosity, creativity; embodying the importance of play and exploring. Our primary mission is to be responsive by creating a place and space to fulfill the needs of every child. When all the important elements in a child’s daily life are aligned they feel safe to explore their environment and learn new things. At HEI Schools, we promote the joy of learning and support the freedom of failing, encouraging growth through experiencing both.
Learning forms of expression equip children with possibilities to express themselves. Artistic experiences and expression promote children’s formation of positive self-image, social skills, and the capability to understand the surrounding world.
HEI Schools promotes children’s capability to observe, analyze, and understand the surrounding world. We support the development of children’s linguistic and mathematical skills through different activities in everyday life. Through science and environmental education, we strengthen children’s relationship with nature and their awareness of sustainable ways of living.
We support children’s growth as conscious human beings and help them to understand what it means to be an ethically responsible member of society. We aim to design inclusive spaces in which dignity and safety are the norm, where diversity is recognized and respected, and where everyone feels encouraged, supported, and included.
At HEI Schools, we promote children’s socio-emotional competence by practicing empathy and compassion, self-regulation, and naming and recognizing our own and others’ emotions. We also discuss the importance of healthy nutrition, physical activity, rest, and personal hygiene with the children; encouraging them to be physically active in different ways.
4 LEARNING FRAMEWORKS 10 MODULES
MULTI-LINGUAL
LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
HEI Schools Bangkok uses English as the primary language of communication. However, we do recognize the importance of Thai and Mandarin, and the understanding of Thai cultures - all of which have seamlessly been incorporated into our pedagogy and curriculum.
Through a thinking globally and acting locally way of living, our children are fully equipped with an adaptive mindset for living and thriving in an ever changing world.
NIHAO!
TRACKING A CHILD'S LEARNING JOURNEY
At HEI Schools Bangkok, a child’s learning journey is used as a tracking tool to achieve a shared-understanding of a child’s learning and development, and involves the child, teachers, and parents. A Child’s Learning Journey is composed of an individual plan, a follow up tool, and a portfolio.
AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN
An individual plan is made for each child attending HEI Schools. Teachers use the Child’s Individual Plan to promote dialogue and to seek answers to the question of what HEI Schools can do for the child to recognise their full potential.
A FOLLOW-UP TOOL
The Follow-Up Tool is an observation form that gathers information about the child in relation to the HEI Schools learning areas. Teachers update each child’s form twice annually before one-on-one meetings with their families. The Follow-Up Tool is used throughout the child’s time at HEI Schools to make visible the child’s progression, strengths, needs, and possible challenges in relation to the HEI Schools learning areas.
A PORTFOLIO
Each child at HEI Schools has their own portfolio, in which the child gathers meaningful documents with the help of the teacher. These might be drawings and other artwork, photographs of events, play, projects and trips, stories, narratives, and interviews. The portfolios showcase the children’s experiences, interests, and development during their time at HEI Schools.
