Stage 1

Stage 1 of the British International Curriculum provides an introductory educational experience designed to spark curiosity and instil foundational learning habits in young students. This stage focuses on creating a warm and supportive environment where children can explore basic academic skills.

Curriculum: British International
Requirements: Completed Primary Stage R or an equivalent
Age group: 6 to 7 years of age
Language of instruction: English

Subjects

The curriculum for Stage 1 introduces foundational subjects that are key to early childhood development.

English First Language

Introduction to letters, sounds and simple words to begin developing early reading skills.

Afrikaans Second Language

Focus on improving language and grammar for spoken and written communication.

Mathematics

Basic number recognition, counting up to 5 and simple sorting of shapes and colours.

Sciences

Exploration of everyday materials and simple observations of the environment to encourage questioning and discovery.

Personal Power

Early development lessons on identifying and expressing feelings, understanding simple rules, basic hygiene practices and fun introductory activities to physical education and creative art.

Student preparation for Stage 1

Emphasis on nurturing a love for learning through storytelling, songs and interactive play.

Parental involvement for Stage 1 students

Critical at this stage, parents are encouraged to:

Participate in simple learning activities at home.
Read daily to their child to boost language acquisition.
Model social interactions and daily routines to support learning.

How are parents kept informed?

Parents receive weekly activity reports detailing time spent learning and academic progress. A monthly blog focuses on pertinent issues from how to support your child’s mental health to fun ways to stimulate your child at home.

Support offered by Think Digital to students

Interactive digital resources support visual and auditory learning styles in a fun way to foster a love for learning. An optional online tutor chat feature gives students access to a panel of online tutors for any content related queries.

Stage 1 assessments

Informal, ongoing assessments through interactive activities to gauge developmental milestones without pressure, focusing on online engagement and participation.

Equipment and supplies needed

Minimal supplies required. Supplies include a tablet / laptop / desktop, crayons, paper and basic play materials. All necessary educational resources are provided through the online school’s digital platform to ensure accessibility and engagement.

British International Curriculum – Stage 1 overview

This stage aims to make the first formal learning experience positive and encouraging, focusing on building confidence, curiosity and basic social skills.

Developmental milestones during Stage 1

Students will begin to recognise basic symbols like letters and numbers and understand simple instructions.

How parents can support this age group
Supporting Stage 1 students involves:

Establishing a consistent daily routine that includes ample time for rest and play.
Encouraging language development through conversation and reading.
Introducing concepts of sharing and cooperation through supervised playdates or family activities.

Additional resources

Story time sessions – Online sessions where stories are read, often followed by a discussion or related activity to enhance comprehension and verbal skills.

Motor skill activities – Simple, fun activities designed to improve coordination and control, such as drawing, connecting the dots and colouring in.

Social interaction – Organised meet and greets where students and their families can mingle with the Think Digital team in a fun and informal setting.