Empowering Every Child ： Early Childhood at SAS

Wondering how to unlock your child's potential? 

Why is hands-on exploration important for young learners? 

Excited to foster a passion for learning? 

Exploring Pre-Kindergarten options can be overwhelming with countless choices. The Pre-Kindergarten program at Shanghai American School follows the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education—designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

Could this be the perfect match for your child and family? 

Let's begin with a look at Reggio Emilia. 

What is Reggio Emilia?

Originating in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this approach stands at the forefront of early childhood education. It honors each child's individuality, independence, and immense potential while creating a collaborative learning environment that nurtures both social and emotional growth.

The Reggio Emilia approach emphasizes that children are naturally curious and capable learners who can uncover much of what they need to know through exploration. The educator's role is to craft enriching environments and guide their learning process—not to simply impart knowledge. 

In this program, children build a foundation for independent thinking, creativity, and collaborative learning from the very start of their educational journey. 

What Makes Early Childhood Education at SAS Different? 

• Empowerment Through Exploration: Children are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and dive deeper into their own curiosities, building the foundations for lifelong learning.
• Multi-Age Learning: Pre-Kindergarten classrooms bring together children from both PK3 and PK4 grades, creating a multi-age environment where students of varying developmental stages learn from one another. This research-backed approach enhances social skills, fosters empathy, and strengthens the sense of community in the classroom.
• Engaging Learning Spaces: Classrooms are designed as safe, stimulating environments that encourage independent exploration, helping children develop a sense of capability and responsibility.
• Celebrating Diversity: At SAS, they celebrate each child's unique strengths and interests, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported.

• Community-Centered Approach: Learning at SAS goes beyond the classroom. Teachers, students, and parents work together as partners in the educational journey.

What Do SAS Parents Say About Early Childhood Education at SAS?

Ms. Sabrina Ye, whose two children attend SAS, shares that:

"SAS's Pre-Kindergarten program teaches young children to explore, perceive and observe nature, and stimulate children's own desire for knowledge. SAS develops the habit of early reading, as well as children's sports, music and artistic abilities. SAS also helps children to develop good study and lifestyle habits." 

For Ms. Jacqueline Ding, enrolling her younger son at SAS was a decision driven by the desire for an American education in Shanghai:

"The Pre-K teachers teach the kids the correct way to deal with all kinds of situations they could encounter in daily social interactions. When my youngest first started school, he didn't know how to deal with conflicts with classmates. His homeroom teacher, Mr. Andrew Bissonnette, taught him how to distinguish between big and small problems, and how to solve them."  

Ms. Yolanda Qian appreciates the strong partnership between home and school:

"SAS encourages parents to get deeply involved in our children's learning experiences and to engage with the staff. This way we are able to learn all the details of our daughter's school life, from her lunch menu to her reading buddy. We discuss these topics at the dinner table, which helps keep our family closely connected." 

Experience the Reggio Emilia Approach for Yourself 

So, if you're pondering the next – or first – step in your child's learning journey, come see for yourself what makes Shanghai American School's Pre-Kindergarten program so special.

Scan the QR code below to learn more about how SAS fosters a love of learning through the Reggio Emilia approach.

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