Nursery & Kindergarten (ECE) | NIVA American International School | Nursery and K-12

What is theme-based learning?

Theme-based learning is a teaching approach that connects different subjects and topics through a common theme or idea. It has the following wonderful effects:

Makes learning fun

Uses themes that are meaningful to students. Combined with a hands-on approach, learning is super fun!

Increases motivation

Taps into student’s interests and encourages them to learn more about each theme

Enhances learning retention

By connecting different subjects to a central theme, students can retain the information for a longer period

Encourages critical thinking

Involves problem-solving and critical thinking. Students are challenged to ask questions, make connections, and think creatively

Develops communication skills

Provides opportunities for students to share their ideas and communicate with others. They learn to express themselves clearly and listen to others

Supports social development

Often involves group work and collaboration, which helps students develop social skills such as cooperation and teamwork

Improves self-esteem

Provides students with opportunities to showcase their talents and interests. This can boost their self-esteem and confidence

Read more about how theme-based learning benefits your child

Kindergarten Subjects

NIVA's kindergarten curriculum is designed to introduce our students to foundational academic concepts, as well as to foster socio-emotional development and skills.

English: Literacy

The foundation for all other learning. Students learn to read, write, and communicate with others

phonics

phonemics

vocabulary

pencil gripping

basic grammar

writing skills

basic sentence structures

practice expressing needs and wants clearly

learn to use polite language with peers and adults

Reading & Library

Develops abilities to think, understand and form coherent thought processes

letter recognition

digraphs

cvc blends

contextual clues

sight words

comprehension

reading fluency

library time

Raz-kids

inspire love for reading

build focus when reading longer texts

Mathematics

The foundation for logical reasoning and problem-solving skills

counting

number recognition

shapes and patterns

addition

subtraction

telling time

object comparison

inspire love for math

develop problem-solving skills

seeing and using math in daily life

Science

The study of the natural world, encouraging students to observe, compare, and think critically

the natural world

my body

earth

plant life cycle

forests

seas

fish

birds

mammals

reptiles

caring for the environment

learn to appreciate the world around me

foster a sense of wonder and curiosity

Social Studies

Students learn about their place in the world, promotes empathy and an appreciation for diversity

family

community

basic geography

cultures

historical events

empathy for others around us

appreciate different cultures and traditions

Thai

The foundation of life in Thailand. Students learn to read, write, and communicate with others

Thai alphabets and characters

vocabulary

basic grammar

writing skills

Thai culture

communicate effectively in Thai

build confidence for language learning

Chinese

Opens up opportunities to communicate with a large population of people worldwide and understand Chinese culture

Chinese characters & vocabulary

pronunciation

listening

basic grammar

Chinese culture

basic conversation skills

appreciation for cultural diversity

build confidence for language learning

Learn technological concepts early, Improve digital literacy and prepare for the digital world

keyboarding & typing

mouse

touchpad

word processing

basic paint programs

internet skills

basic computer vocabulary

basic troubleshooting skills

develop interest in technology

confidence in exploring new technologies

Music

Learning music enhances cognitive development, promotes teamwork and collaboration, and provides an opportunity self-expression

singing

dancing

active listening

pitch recognition

rhythm

basic music theory

gross motor skills

learn to expressing one’s emotions

improve memory & spatial reasoning

boost self-esteem

Life skills

Students develop an understanding of their identity, feelings and how to interact with others in wholesome relationships

manners

dressing & undressing

tying shoelaces

emotional regulation

impulse control

handling money

making thoughtful decisions

build character

develop healthy identities

learn to feel and express emotions

Art

Fosters creativity, imagination, and provides an opportunity to express emotions in a personal way

color recognition

drawing

coloring

fine motor skills

hand-eye coorditation

encourages risk taking

develop willingness to try new things

express emotions creatively

PE & Health

Essential for physical, social, and emotional development. Learn about nutrition and health and promoting teamwork and sportsmanship

basic movements & coordination

hygiene

swimming

sports

healthy habits

learn to have fun with physical activities

develop willingness to try new things

Enroll at NIVA in just 4 easy steps

1. Submit Application and Documents

We’ll make this step as painless as possible, promise. Download the list of documents we need.

2. Applicant Assessment

Nothing scary here, we just need to assess your child’s current abilities so that we know how to best support them in their journey!

3. Pay School Fees

Once you receive NIVA’s notification of your child’s admission status and seat reservation, you can make the payment to secure your child's seat.

4. Registration, Uniforms, Student Packet

We’ll get you everything you need to begin your journey at NIVA successfully!

Find out more about our enrollment process here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Choose FAQs Category:

What curriculum does NIVA use?

NIVA uses an American curriculum based on the California common core standards.

What are the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios? What is the average class size and how many students are there per class?

We typically have smaller class sizes and lower student-to-teacher ratios than Thai schools. Class sizes may range from 15 to 26 students, with student-to-teacher ratios ranging from 13:1 to 20:1.

What are the qualifications of the teachers and staff?

Teachers and staff at NIVA hold advanced degrees and have experience teaching in international or multicultural settings.

What facilities and resources are available for students, such as libraries, sports facilities, and technology?

Please check out pictures of our beautiful campus here. You can also book a school tour to come visit our campus with your family!

Do we have a program to help students who cannot speak English?

Yes, we do. Our English Language Learner (ELL) program is designed to lay foundations for student who don't speak English with the goal of getting them ready to join our mainstream program. This program is available to all students, including those coming from Thai schools and Chinese-speaking families.

What extracurricular activities (ECAs) does the school offer?

NIVA offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including sports, arts, music, drama, and community service. Click on the following links to see a sample of ECAs we offer for elementary school and secondary school. Please note that the ECAs listed here are examples of what we typically offer. This list may change according to student interest.

What is the school's policy on student safety and security?

NIVA has policies and procedures in place to ensure student safety and security, including protocols for emergency situations, visitor management, and student supervision. You can read more about our Child Protection Policy here.