Dr Montessori insisted that every child is born with an unlimited potential and will to learn; what is learnt would only depend on how much or how little he/she is exposed to.
We take the approach that each child is unique, with special talents and abilities and an individual learning style. We acknowledge that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and believe that all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected.
We see our children as naturally competent learners from birth, resilient, capable, confident and self-assured, and have designed a programme to build on these qualities, developing positive supportive relationships to nurture an inquisitive approach to learning where making mistakes is viewed as an important part of the learning process. In educating our children to become strong, responsible, independent learners, our teachers recognise that the learning environment plays a key role in supporting and extending a child’s development.
Our Crèche, Nursery, Kindergarten, and Primary classes offer a safe, caring learning environment, which promotes physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being, with good communications skills, as part of the core curriculum. We have a strong focus on developing key literacy and numeracy skills, artistic abilities and interests and a general knowledge and understanding of the world. In addition to the core curriculum, we also offer a rich programme of class trips and extracurricular activities, and work in close partnership with parents to support our children on their learning journey through Creche, Nursery and Kindergarten, and Primary.
A curriculum is comprised of six sections and includes the training and educational aspects presented below:
1. Personal, social, and emotional well-being
The ability to work as part of a team, the skills to create a friendly environment around them and the opportunity for every child to become a respected member of their community. These are the qualities required to help a child form a solid character and develop their self-esteem.
i. Positive attitude and interest in cognitive activities
An enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge and learning in general, as well as self-confidence.
ii. Social skills
The ability to find ways to cooperate and collaborate with different peers and adults, as well as the ability to listen to and understand each other.
iii. Attention and persistence
The ability and determination to concentrate on games, school or group tasks.
• Self-respect and self-confidence
• Building relationships
• Behaviour and self-control
• Looking after oneself
• A sense of community
2. Communication, Language and Literacy skills (French and English)
All children are given the opportunity for personal contact with peers and adults in a variety of changing situations likely to induce speech such as answering open-ended questions, questioning others, using extended vocabulary and communication skills and develop the ability to listen carefully.
i. Reading and writing skills
Reading children’s books and working with text in different situations – through this process children learn new words and begin to use them in speech.
• Language for communication
• Language for thinking
• Linking sounds with letters
• Reading
• Writing
• Handwriting
3. Elementary level Mathematics
Where each child learns to develop their understanding of the science of numbers, sizes, patterns, shapes and space and the programme provides a wide range of situations in which children can explore maths in a fun way, use it and talk about it. Maths is about learning numbers, measuring and awareness of time, shapes, patterns and space, recognizing size and weight and working with money.
• Figures as symbols and a means of counting
• Calculations
• Shape, space and measures
4. Knowledge and understanding of the world around them
Children learn to make their own decisions, solve difficult situations, experiment, predict, plan and reflect, as well as explore the world around them to find information about their own environment, people and places that are important in their own lives. We learn about new science phenomena that encourage the children to explore, problem solve, observe, predict, think, make decisions and talk, learning about the world around them.
• Research and investigation
• Design and creative skills
• Information Technology and communication
• Sense of time
• Sense of place
• Culture and beliefs
5. Physical development
Children conduct various exercises that develop motor function of hands, and generally strengthen them physically. Our teachers explain to children how their body works and what they need to do to keep it healthy and strong. They instill hygiene practices, organise fun, interesting walks and energetic outdoor games.
i. Motor Skills
Motor skills are broken into two categories, fine and gross. Fine Motor Skills include cutting, finger painting, and hand control. Gross Motor Skills range from balancing to team play. The OIS also believes that play-based activities are often the most exciting method in achieving a learning objective, and is therefore among the most effective. We have incorporated play-based learning into all of our programs.
• Movement
• Sense of place
• Health and how to take care of it
• Use of sports equipment
• Use of tools and building materials
6. Creative development skills
Children learn to understand others and their surroundings, sharing with them their thoughts, ideas and feelings through different kinds of creative work – art, design and technology, music, movement, dance and story – role playing, theatre and imaginative games .
• Exploring media resources and materials
• Music
• Imagination
Children are encouraged to progress to the best of their ability, and at their own personal rate, establishing basic learning patterns for their future years. The Early Years classes provide a relaxed atmosphere, enabling parents to leave their children in the care of qualified and experienced staff with complete peace of mind.
Parents can be sure that their child will be encouraged to become confident amongst other children and will learn the vital social skills necessary for their future school life.
We work in close partnership with parents to ensure that all our children feel secure in a comfortable and stimulating environment. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children’s development and progress on a regular basis. The approach we use is one modelled on the Montessori method, which has very close ties to the Early Years Foundation.
Oak International School is a bilingual school in the classic sense of the word. It gives its pupils the opportunity to fully master two languages (English and French) and two school programmes (British and French). Our graduates will be able to freely and easily enter the selected educational institutions of their choice following their Primary and Secondary education.
Their basic school training and language skills (oral and written) will enable them to confidently continue in their studies for years ahead.
The principle of ’two languages – two full programmes – two strong teams of teachers’ makes OIS the only school of its kind in Benin.
