Kindergarten Program
Building confident, capable learners through inquiry and play.
At GIS, Kindergarten is a pivotal year. Emerging independence, social development, and academic readiness come together in a nurturing, hands on environment. It’s where students begin to see themselves as learners, thinkers and members of a larger community.
Competency based curricula from Thuringia, Germany and Beijing, China
Framework of International Baccalaureate (IB) and Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Integrated German or Mandarin Chinese language immersion
Cultivating curiosity with inquiry based foundations
Our program prepares children for elementary school by supporting growth across academic, social emotional, and practical domains. Through purposeful routines, active exploration, and collaborative learning, students build confident, communication skills and the ability to work both independently and with peers.
Social emotional development is embedded into daily experiences and reinforced through weekly lessons. Outdoor play and learning are essential parts of the curriculum, supporting physical development, resilience and cooperative skills.
Inquiry based academics across disciplines
The IB Primary Years Programme guides Kindergarten students through Units of Inquiry that integrate literacy, math, science and the arts. These units encourage children to ask question, make connections, and apply knowledge to new situations.
In language development, students engage in reading, writing, listening and speaking activities that build foundational literacy in both their immersion language and English. Math instruction emphasizes problem solving, reasoning, and real world application through hands on activities.
Science units introduce both life and physical sciences, exploring topics like plants, animals and environmental impact. These concepts are reinforced through art, where students use a variety of media including clay, paint and collage to express ideas and demonstrate understanding.
Children also gain cultural awareness by learning about global communities, exploring similarities and differences, and developing empathy and open-mindedness.
Language learning in Kindergarten
In the German and Mandarin Chinese immersion tracks, language acquisition is built into ever part of the day. Songs, stories, seasonal themes, and classroom dialogue help children develop vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension naturally.
Pre-literacy skills including recognizing and printing upper and lowercase letters, while early numeracy is developed through counting, sorting, and calendar activities. Students also engage in music, movement, and field trips to extend learning beyond the classroom and deepen cultural and linguistic exposure.