Esther Hunter is our Senior Leaders for Early Years and Foundation Stages & Key Stage 1.
In our younger year groups, children initially experience our Values Curriculum through Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), which is an integral element of their learning and development. Through this strand of the curriculum, children begin to understand their place in society, to understand that other people’s feelings are important, empathy, and how to be a good friend. The children share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas together and explore how they impact on the world. This reflective understanding of social and emotional development continues into Years 1 and 2 through our Values education, which educates and celebrates children and their relationships with each other, teachers, and the wider community.
Each day, the children participate in discussion, circle time, and activities, which reflect the value they are studying at that time, and there are 11 values that we celebrate each year on a 2-year program, meaning each one is a focus for 2-3 weeks. The children grow and develop into socially responsible and conscientious individuals holistically through an education system which exposes them to values such as respect, hope, care, cooperation, and friendship. The children - right from our youngest in Nursery through to our oldest in Year 6 - have embraced the Values education curriculum, and all have actively participated in assemblies and circle groups with their peers.
As a first class learning environment here at British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, we strive to empower children with the social and community awareness and appreciation in order for them to become the societal innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.