IB programs starting in kindergarten

An international preschool based on the Montessori pedagogy

maternelle internationale bordeaux is 33

The International School 33’s international kindergarten bases its pedagogy on the Montessori method and the International Baccalaureate program. This program is offered by institutions and followed by students in over 109 countries worldwide, focusing on the holistic development of the student and their research skills within the classroom and in the world at large.

Thus, children aged 3 to 6 years old experience a holistic learning approach, which aims to develop their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Learning takes place in dynamic environments that promote playful activities, discovery, and exploration.

Like all IB World Schools, the International School 33 is committed to encouraging its students to develop a wide range of human skills and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. These qualities involve engaging in helping all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, respect others, and respect the world around them.

The learner profile shapes students to become: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, courageous, balanced, reflective. (source: www.ibo.org)

In addition to benefiting from a multilingual environment from preschool, the student grows within a Montessori pedagogy-based class. It is specially prepared to encourage independence and discovery. Children have access to a wide variety of educational materials that they can explore freely.

Children have the freedom to choose their own activities and work at their own pace. They develop self-confidence and become better learners. At the end of preschool, all children have started mastering reading and writing, have concretely approached the 4 operations and numbers up to 9,999.

Each child is unique and has different needs and interests. The teachers at IS 33 are trained to adapt to each individual child and help each child reach their full potential.

They also develop their social skills by learning to work in groups and respect others. They also learn to peacefully resolve any conflicts and become active and responsible members of their community.

The task of the child is to create the person to come. They should not be forced into this task. The adult will be a harmonious individual, but only to the extent that they have lived through all stages of development as nature lays before them.

⸻ Maria Montessori

Promoting the Development of the Child

Small size classes

école maternelle internationale bordeaux

At International School 33, classes are composed of approximately twenty students supervised by a teacher and at least one assistant. From kindergarten, children study half a day in French and half a day in English every day. Languages are therefore learned through immersion and teachers only speak their native language in the classroom. Children study language, math, natural and social sciences, arts, and personal, social, and physical education in English and French (discover a typical day in preschool).

Everything is set up to promote the child’s development. The class environment adapted to their needs allows them to acquire order, develop movement and sensory refinement, improve language, discover math, science, and adapt to community life when they are ready, and thus integrate these notions sustainably. Many students start learning to read as early as 2 and a half years old.

IS 33 offers its students the opportunity to learn by manipulating the specific and scientifically developed material by Dr. Maria Montessori to maximize the child’s lasting understanding of the concepts.

The children, guided only by their desire to learn, choose their own work according to their need. The teacher is present to guide them in the concepts to be learned, but does not impose the way in which the student will achieve the result. A prepared and evolving atmosphere is crucial for promoting concentration and attention.

Thus, from preschool, the child acquires numerous knowledge while being happy to go to school, gaining self-confidence, learning to respect others and their environment.

While interacting with a material, a student can observe if they have completed the task correctly. They don’t need a teacher to correct them — the correction is built into the material or work.

⸻ Maria Montessori

The Child Learns to Become Autonomous

Upon entering school, the student learns to become independent

It is always amazing to see how children are able to concentrate when performing the exercises they have selected themselves. From an early age they develop self-discipline and focus on learning new concepts. The natural curiosity of the child is motivated by a teaching that must be optimal. Then the student progresses and is happy to learn.

As soon as they begin school, the student learns to become autonomous in order to be able to take charge of their own life and especially to be aware of his presence at school. It will be easier for an independent student to learn about their strengths and weaknesses and to adapt their efforts by personally setting goals without having to be evaluated.

They want to do their work alone, knowing that the teacher is present, and less concerned with the results than with the satisfaction of accomplishing the task.

We strive to meet all the conditions to ensure a harmonious development of the child by offering them a suitable space, a quality education, and qualified teachers.