HEI PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM
HEI Schools is an award-winning international kindergarten from Finland that has consistently ranked at the top of the world’s best education charts. Our pedagogy and curriculum are designed based on the latest research in early childhood education from our co-founding partner, the University of Helsinki. Our lessons and approaches have been tested in preschools across Finland, yielding positive and proven results.
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HEI Schools Bangkok believes in the power of creativity, which leads to innovative ways of educating children in the 21st century. The HEI Way explains the basic philosophies upon which the HEI concept is based and serves as the foundation for all HEI Schools.
HEI WAY
These cornerstones guide everything we do
Curiosity is the driving force behind learning, and creativity stems from playful exploration. We create rich learning environments for children to explore with their senses. When natural curiosity is acknowledged and nurtured, children begin to ask questions about the world around them.
CURIOSITY & CREATIVITY
HEI PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
At HEI Schools, we support a child's learning and holistic growth by combining education, upbringing, and care. Education is enhanced by pedagogical practices that take place daily, weekly, or monthly. Upbringing is facilitated through the transmission of cultural heritage and social norms from one generation to another. Care is provided by responding to a child's social, emotional, and physical needs.
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The HEI Schools concept is inspired by Finnish Early Childhood Education, enhancing a child’s perspective, active participation, curiosity, and creativity while embodying the importance of play and exploration. Our primary mission is to be responsive by creating a place and space to fulfill the needs of every child. When all the essential elements in a child's daily life are aligned, they feel safe to explore their environment and learn new things. At HEI Schools, we promote the joy of learning and support the freedom to fail, encouraging growth through both experiences.
Learning forms of expression equip children with the ability to express themselves. Artistic experiences and expressions promote the development of a positive self-image, social skills, and the capability to understand the surrounding world.
HEI Schools promotes children’s capability to observe, analyse, and understand the surrounding world. We support the development of children’s linguistic and mathematical skills through various activities in everyday life. Through science and environmental education, we strengthen children’s relationship with nature and their awareness of sustainable ways of living.
We support children’s growth as conscious human beings and help them understand what it means to be ethically responsible members of society. We aim to design inclusive spaces in which dignity and safety are the norm, diversity is recognised and respected, and everyone feels encouraged, supported, and included.
At HEI Schools, we promote children’s socio-emotional competence by practising empathy and compassion, self-regulation, and by naming and recognising our own and others’ emotions. We also discuss the importance of healthy nutrition, physical activity, rest, and personal hygiene with the children, encouraging them to be physically active in a variety of ways.
4 LEARNING FRAMEWORKS 10 MODULES
MULTI-LINGUAL
LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
At HEI Schools Bangkok, English serves as the primary language of communication, fostering a rich English-learning environment. However, we also recognise the significance of Thai and Mandarin, as well as a deep understanding of Thai culture—all of which are seamlessly integrated into our pedagogy and curriculum.
By embracing a philosophy of thinking globally and acting locally, our children cultivate an adaptive mindset that prepares them to live and thrive in an ever-changing world. This international perspective enhances their learning experiences, empowering them to appreciate diversity and embrace new opportunities across cultures.
NIHAO!
TRACKING A CHILD'S LEARNING JOURNEY
At HEI Schools Bangkok, a child’s learning journey is used as a tracking tool to achieve a shared understanding of a child’s learning and development, involving the child, teachers, and parents. A Child’s Learning Journey comprises an individual plan, a follow-up tool, and a portfolio.
AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN
An individual plan is created for each child attending HEI Schools. Teachers use the Child’s Individual Plan to promote dialogue and seek answers to the question of what HEI Schools can do to help the child recognise their full potential.
A FOLLOW-UP TOOL
The Follow-Up Tool is an observation form that gathers information about the child in relation to the HEI Schools learning areas. Teachers update each child’s form twice annually before one-on-one meetings with their families. The Follow-Up Tool is used throughout the child’s time at HEI Schools to highlight the child’s progression, strengths, needs, and possible challenges in relation to the HEI Schools learning areas.
A PORTFOLIO
Each child at HEI Schools has their own portfolio, in which they gather meaningful documents with the help of the teacher. These might include drawings and other artwork, photographs of events, play, projects, trips, stories, narratives, and interviews. The portfolios showcase the children’s experiences, interests, and development during their time at HEI Schools.
