Shaws Winning Play-based Preschool Curriculum

Literacy

Our progressive English classes build strong reading and writing skills by K2, while our bilingual curriculum fosters a love for Mandarin.

Here, literacy is part of our children’s everyday life — witness the delight in their eyes as they document the growth of their caterpillar, or marvel at how mushrooms grow in the dark.

Mathematics

Can your preschooler have fun with numbers? At Shaws, we place your child in real-life scenarios to learn and apply basic maths concepts through play!

Through play, the children understand maths concepts, and not rote learn them. This strong foundation takes them through the primary school years and beyond.

Science (and the world around us)

Our play-based science curriculum sparks curiosity and nurtures young minds. Through hands-on activities, experiments, and games, we foster a love for science and encourage critical thinking. Children explore, question, and make discoveries, developing problem-solving skills.

Arts and Creativity

At Shaws, we celebrate arts and creativity by encouraging self-expression and imagination. Children explore and engage in diverse art forms that encourage unique ideas and creative thinking. With the freedom to experiment while letting their imaginations soar, we nurture in them a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Sports

Children learn best through active play. We partner with Shaws Little League to provide sports coaching twice a week to teach your child sports skills while nurturing intrinsic values like teamwork, resilience, communication and discipline in a safe, fun and educational environment.

Outdoor Learning

At Shaws, we are blessed with wonderful outdoor environments where our children can thrive. Our outdoor gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens and playgrounds encourage our kids to independently develop their literacy, social and cognitive skills.

S.T.E.A.M

S.T.E.A.M stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. Integrated into our play-based curriculum. S.T.E.A.M. encourages your child to ask questions like a Scientist, build like a Technologist, solve problems like an Engineer, create and express like an Artist and analyse like a Mathematician!

Earth Ambassadors

Protecting the Earth is a responsibility that transcends age; every child at Shaws is an Earth ambassador. Your child will learn about environmental concepts such as conservation through our inquiry-based units of study each term and apply them.

Sports-based Play

Replace screen time with outdoor playtime! Yes, more sports! Expert coaches from Shaws Little League will help your child love sports like soccer, rugby, basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball, golf and athletics.

Code Play

Our in-house play-based coding programme actively engages your child with problem-solving games. We use screen-free tech toys such as wonderbug, bee bot and dash. No screen time is involved for the N2 and K1 children, with limited exposure for K2.

Sensory Play

Heighten your child’s five senses through our sensory play programme! They will be exposed to activities that stimulate their senses. This helps them to develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, linguistically, creatively, and physically as they explore the world.

Water Play/ Messy Play

Let’s get dirty! Our children enjoy learning with water, mud and paints. Through these activities, they learn motor skills, literacy skills, mathematics skills and so much more.

Our play-based curriculum encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills while encouraging self-paced learning, interest exploration, and confidence-building for your child. Have a look at some of these benefits below.

Raise Confidence

Shaws children are known for being confident children. They are not afraid to try new things, and are not afraid to fail. Through carefully planned activities in the classroom, and on the sports field, they are encouraged to strive higher and empowered to go further, boosting their courage and initiative.

Build Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Play offers opportunities for your child to encounter, explore and overcome obstacles. This is because they have to figure things out for themselves, and keep trying until they get the answer. Carrying out simple tasks like using building blocks to complex ones like researching a topic in a group sharpens their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Improve Knowledge Retention

Confucius once said, “I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.” Studies have shown a correlation between hands-on learning and the ability to recall the teaching. Our play-based curriculum ensures your child will understand concepts from a fundamental level rather than memorize them. This gives them a strong foundation for later education, particularly in maths.

Foster Teamwork

In our play-based setting, children have the opportunity to work with their peers towards a shared objective. This promotes the development of critical qualities of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Social Intelligence, including patience, emotional self-management, persistence, and effective communication.

Develop Motivation and Grit

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after setbacks. Through play-based activities, children are encouraged to figure things out. If they don’t get it the first time, they have to keep trying. Over time, they will build up their grit, determination and resilience.

Develop Love for Learning

We cultivate a love for learning through our carefully designed curriculum, nurturing curiosity while sparking joy. Through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences, we create a supportive environment where children embrace challenges and explore their interests. Our focus on developing a love for learning empowers lifelong learners on a journey of endless growth.

Curious to know what a day is like in a preschool with a play based curriculum? Check out our program calendar below!