Studies have shown that, to ensure true bilingualism, the earlier a child is exposed to a second language, the more genuine it will be.
Our littlest ones, at one year and eight months, initiate their academic lives with the introduction to the International Baccalaureate programme and one unit of inquiry. The shelves of our Nursery are full of manipulatives, puzzles, games and books to reinforce vocabulary. Stories are read to them every day.
Although the emphasis is on social skills, attention is given to fine-motor skills and to the correct grip of all graspables, thus ensuring acquisition of correct habits. Children are encouraged to sit at tables and try their hands at sorting, sequencing, puzzle-solving and threading using the large quantity of toys and apparatus available. They eat their snacks there and are shown how to care for their belongings in an orderly fashion.
Twice-weekly music classes give free rein to their exuberance as they learn to sing, dance and respond to rhythm.