K Through 12
Key Points
- Importance of Early Development: Pre-school emphasizes creativity and physical growth, focusing on building social skills and a love for learning over academics.
- Active Learning Approach: Modern education values hands-on, project-based learning over traditional methods, promoting problem-solving and teamwork.
- Focus on Future Readiness: Secondary education gears students towards university prep, with emphasis on IT skills, critical thinking, and personal interests.
Education: K Through 12 – A Basic Overview
The average child spends 2-3 years in kindergarten or pre-school, then it is on to the primary years, which are 1-6 and that transitions into the secondary section, year 7-12, when the focus is on academics in preparation for university or another form of further education.
Pre-school (kindergarten)
Preschool, usually from 3 to 6 years old, develops a child’s social skills and focuses on fun-based activities that stimulate creativity and imagination.
Art, dance, and movement are great mediums for physical development.
It is important to develop a lifelong love of learning during the formative years and skilled staff are the perfect role model to demonstrate traits such as politeness, fair-play, kindness and compassion.
There is no focus on anything academic; art and creativity are encouraged and nurtured and the children are allowed free play on a daily basis.
Physical development
The first seven years are critical for physical development, with daily exercise, dance, and movement to develop large and small motor skills.
Cognitive development is crucial, and teachers work with parents to ensure the child is receiving the right stimulation.
Song and dance play a major role in kindergarten, and the children are encouraged to express themselves.
Primary years (1-6)
Academics begin in the first year, when students start to read and write, while they retain many of the fun-based activities, particularly up to the end of year 3.
Enrol your child in the best international school in Bangkok and they can develop from pre-school right up to taking their A-levels in year 12.
The students engage with a structured active-learning curriculum where project-based learning is integrated into their studies.
The traditional method with students sitting at their desks and learning from a course book is outdated; when they are in small groups and choose a topic for their project, the students have to organise themselves and plan their project accordingly.
The teacher is more like a facilitator than a disseminator of knowledge; hands-on learning gives the best possible outcomes, and the students are equipped for success in the 21st century.
There are exams at the end of each academic year to ensure the students retain what they have learned.
Secondary years (7-12)
This is when things get serious and academic performance is a focus; during the first three years of secondary school, students explore their interests and develop talents.
In year 9, career counseling begins, and the learner starts to think about what they are going to do with their life.
It is a big part of secondary school. By the time a student reaches year 10, he or she can build a basic website, manage their computer, create slideshows, and even have a great understanding of cyber-security.
Problem solving & thinking outside the box
To be successful in the 21st century, you need skills such as problem-solving and creative thinking.
Active learning strategies are designed to develop learners in every respect; if your child has leadership skills, a good school will reveal these traits and they will become a person who leads by example.
Preparing for further education
Years 10, 11 and 12 are focused mainly on prepping for university or college; students have some direction and having completed their GCSE examinations in year 10, the next 2 years are spent studying chosen subjects in preparations for the A-level exams, which all students sit in the final year.
If you enrol your child in a leading international school in Bangkok, Thailand, he or she will be able to enter the university of their choosing.
Managing the cost of further education can be challenging, which this article highlights.
Parental participation
A good school promotes inclusivity and parental participation should always be evident; there would be a monthly teacher/parent meeting in which the child’s progress is discussed and with constant communication, everyone is on the same page.
If a child is experiencing difficulty, parents and teachers work together to solve it, which is what a good learning institution should be doing.
No changing schools
The major advantage for K-12 students is they never have to go through the ordeal of first day at a new school, which can be very traumatic.
Most of us have horrific memories of walking into a strange classroom and having everyone look at us. Of course, this soon dissipates, and you make new friends, but some children move schools four or five times, and that impacts their development.
In conclusion, the 12 years of formal education is the foundation for a happy and successful life and by enrolling your child in a top international school in Thailand, you are giving them the best possible start.
Holistic education focuses on more than just academics; EQ is every bit as important as IQ, while learning the skills that take you to the top is what every parent wants.
