An out-of-the-box approach to learning guarantees success from the Early Years onwards
PARTNER CONTENT: The British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi) mission is ‘to create world-class learning experiences that recognise and nurture resilient and talented individuals; with a vision to ‘empower and enrich lives for future success’.
“Based on such statements, we provide an environment for our Early Year students that nurtures their holistic development,” says Leah Atkins, Primary Assistant Head.
“We passionately provide a curriculum that’s tailored around the students’ unique interests, thus cultivating individuality.”
Leah goes on to say how the approach in the Early Years involves structure and play-based learning. “There is a balance between the two,” she says, “which follows the children’s interests and supports the promotion of tolerance, investigation, questioning and inquiry. It is an approach that empowers success in lifelong learning throughout the school journey and for the rest of their lives.”
Building on such, educators at the schools are on the constant lookout around the school to see what is currently available to enable the children to attain the benchmarks of the vision and mission statement.
“We also assess what else we might require, which led to the idea of introducing the Eco Edventure – an outdoor environment allowing students to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery.”
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The Eco Edventure not only offers an opportunity for outdoor learning, which research shows boosts confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, physical and critical skills, knowledge and understanding, but also rises to the challenge of outdoor learning in the UAE due to the inhospitable climate.
Unique in that it is said to be one of its kind across schools in the UAE capital, Early Year students at BIS Abu Dhabi will soon be able to experience an abundance of natural elements that many of the students have never been exposed to before.
The upcoming Eco Edventure will include running water elements such as waterfalls, rivers and ponds, and tree and plant life, among many others.
“Hopefully, we will be able to have animals too, and there will be garden areas where students can grow their own vegetables and fruits,” says Leah. “Students will be able to play and work, ultimately learning from the experiences that they rarely, if at all, have access to or have been exposed to.”
Including sight and smells, the naturally cooled environment fosters all the Early Years curriculum elements, according to Leah.
“These focus on communication and language. Students are going to be able to ask questions and speak about the different areas. It will also promote an understanding of the world.”
The Eco Edventure also aligns with the school’s work on the United Nation 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Some of the SDG’s we are focusing on are number 14 and 15, which focuses on ‘Life below the Water’, and ‘Life on Land’ respectively. This will help children to learn about the future and how to be sustainable.”
The elements of the unique project have been very carefully thought through from both an educational and sustainable standpoint.
“Due to our exacting standards, choosing the right landscaping specialists who deeply understand our vision has been of paramount importance, as we strive to create the best environment for our children,” says Leah.
The Eco Edventure will be located in the nursery area, allowing students to actually walk through it en route to their classrooms to start learning.
“They’ll get the feel of this environment immediately upon arriving to school, thus setting the tone for enquiring minds,” she adds.
For more information, visit bisabudhabi.com
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