Clever Kittens are children aged 5 to 7 years.
The curriculum for this year is similar to Kindergarten (US System) and covers mamy of the objectives for Kindergaren year in literacy, math and social studies. Compared to a typical Kindergarten year at school, at ICCC children will be exposed to more play-based learning with daily classes on Literacy or Math skills. We take into consideration children’s individual needs and abilities and support them to achieve the best within their own pace of learning. Children have regular classes in Bulgarian language and literature throughout the school year. Depending on a child’s birth date, they will be expected to progress to Kindergarten or more rarely, to Grade 1 (US System).
The Clever Kittens learn about nature, space and the planets, art, health and mindfulness, and more. They use books, magazines, charts, video clips, and field trips, to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world and the environment.
They continue to develop a positive self-image, personal skills such as resilience and adaptability, and social skills such as sharing, cooperation, morality, respect.
With the help of Jolly Phonics they continue to build and expand their phonics knowledge and form a a solid base for reading and writing. They learn operations with numbers to 10 and 20, measurement, size and shape, and use everyday language related to time and position.
Weekly Science, Dance and Karate Classes with special teachers feature in our program and complement children’s physical and cognitive development.
Children continuing their education to Bulgarian schools will either progress to Preparatory class or more rarely, to 1st grade (if they stay at ICCC for the school year after their 6th birthday). In this case validation for entry into 1st grade in Bulgarian schools can be organized with ICCC partner schools.
We hold orientation days for families to help with their choice of school for children.
Learning goals
Communication and Language
– Listen attentively and respond to what they hear with relevant questions, comments and actions
– Hold conversation when engaged in back-and-forth exchanges with their teacher and peers
– Participate in small-group, class and one-to-one discussions, offering their own ideas, using recently introduced vocabulary
– Offer explanations for why things might happen
– Express their ideas and feelings about their experiences using full sentences, including use of past, present and future tenses
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
– Show an understanding of their own feelings and those of others, and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly
– Set and work towards simple goals
– Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge
– Explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly
– Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing, going to the toilet and understanding the importance of healthy food choices
– Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others
– Form positive attachments to adults and friendships with peers
Physical Development
– Negotiate space and obstacles safely
– Demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing
– Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing
– Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing
Literacy
– Use and understand recently introduced vocabulary during discussions about stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems and during role-play
– Say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs
– Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending
– Write recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed
– Spell words by identifying sounds in them and representing the sounds with a letter or letters
Mathematics
– Have a deep understanding of number to 10, including the composition of each number
– Automatically recall number bonds up to 5 and some number bonds to 10
– Verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system
– Compare quantities up to 10 in different contexts, recognising when one quantity is greater than, less than or the same as another
– Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and equal sharing
Understanding the World
– Talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society
– Know similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on experiences and class reading
– Understand the past through settings, characters and events in books and storytelling
– Describe their environment using observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps
– Know similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country
– Explain similarities and differences between life here and in other countries, using stories, non-fiction texts and maps
– Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing animals and plants
– Understand processes and changes in the natural world, including seasons and changing states of matter
Expressive Arts and Design
– Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function
– Share their creations and explain their process
– Use props and materials when role-playing narrative and sand stories
– Invent, adapt and recount stories with peers and teachers
– Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs
– Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories—and, when appropriate, move in time with music
Daily routine at ICCC
8.00 am arrival, play and small-group activities
9.30 am circle time and IEYC group activities
10.00 am morning snack
10.30 am IEYC / math / Jolly Phonic sessions
11.45 am physical education and outdoor play
12.45 pm lunch
1.15 pm music class; relaxing time; free play or Bulgarian Literacy and Math classes
2.30 pm dance / karate / science class
3.30 pm afternoon snack and closing circle; IEYC activities
4.00 pm free play indoors or outdoors and pick-up time
6.00 pm school closes
Find out more about enrolling at ICCC
