Skip To Main Content

The role of play in elementary education: shaping lifelong learners at CIS Bangalore

the advantages of a multicultural classroom

In today's rapidly changing world, education needs to evolve to cater to the developmental needs of children from their earliest years. Play-based learning, especially in elementary schools, plays a critical role in shaping the foundation of a child’s academic, social, and emotional development. At Canadian International School (CIS) Bangalore, we embrace this philosophy, knowing that play is not just an activity but a powerful learning tool, especially for young children in their early years.

Our curriculum, which starts from age 3 and spans pre-kindergarten, junior kindergarten, and senior kindergarten, offers a holistic approach through the Common Ground Collaborative framework. This play-based learning model encourages children to explore, inquire, and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.

Why Play-Based Learning Matters in Elementary Education
The first years of schooling are crucial in a child’s development. Elementary school, particularly in its early stages, is about more than just academics. It is also about nurturing curiosity, building social skills and fostering emotional intelligence. While academic milestones like literacy and numeracy are essential, the power of play in elementary schools like CIS Bangalore cannot be underestimated. Play helps children develop creativity, problem-solving abilities and cognitive skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey. It also helps our students develop the interpersonal skills needed to become active and caring classmates. Learning through play helps our students understand our school codes and expectations.

At CIS, we believe that guided exploration is the key to learning. Through play-based thematic units, students immerse themselves in concepts that integrate subjects such as math, science, language and social studies. For example, in the junior kindergarten programme, children might follow a thematic unit called "At the Farm." In this unit, they explore various aspects of farm life — learning about animals (science), agriculture (social studies) and even simple math concepts like counting eggs laid by chickens. New vocabulary is introduced as part of language acquisition, all within a fun, interconnected framework that encourages active learning.

The Inquiry-Based Framework at CIS Bangalore
One of the key features that sets CIS Bangalore apart from other elementary schools near you is the inquiry-based learning approach that is woven into both play-based and traditional education models. Encouraging students to ask questions, think critically and explore concepts beyond the textbook fosters a lifelong love for learning. This methodology is introduced early in the child's education to build a strong foundation for their future academic endeavours.

At CIS, we strive to develop students who are curious, engaged and eager to understand the "why" behind what they are learning. By cultivating these habits from a young age, children are better prepared to tackle complex subjects and concepts as they progress through elementary school and beyond. This approach allows us to maintain our standing among the best elementary schools in Bangalore.

Bridging Play and Academic Milestones
Play-based learning in elementary school doesn’t mean sacrificing academic rigour. At CIS, we seamlessly integrate the two. Students reach key academic milestones in literacy, numeracy, social studies and science — all while engaging in playful, thematic activities. Within each unit of inquiry, students explore topics through various lenses, ensuring a deep understanding of various subjects while also learning how different subjects are interconnected.

The Cambridge Primary Curriculum, used from grade 1 to grade 5, is complemented by the Common Ground Collaborative framework. This combination ensures that our students meet international academic standards while continuing to enjoy a stimulating, inquiry-based learning environment. We believe this balance helps develop well-rounded individuals who excel academically with a variety of competencies and have the confidence to affect change in their communities. An example of this happened just recently when students from grade 5 were inspired to help the fundraising efforts for the annual Terry Fox Run.  Students used their creative skills to crochet, make origami and other handicrafts which were sold. Their collective creativity and efforts raised over INR 5,000, and these funds will be donated to help find a cure for cancer in India! 

The Importance of Social and Emotional Growth
At CIS Bangalore, we recognise that emotional and social growth are as important as academic development. Play is instrumental in helping children build emotional intelligence and social skills. Through cooperative play, children learn how to share, take turns, solve conflicts and work as part of a team. These are crucial life skills that help our students become better classmates to each other here at CIS. It also gives our students the foundational skills necessary to develop into caring global citizens in the future. In other words, we are helping our students develop critical life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

We place a strong emphasis on social and emotional learning, helping students build resilience, empathy and self-regulation. Teachers and school counsellors support students in developing the emotional tools needed to navigate challenges, both in school and in life. Emotional intelligence is nurtured as students engage in role-playing activities, collaborative projects and problem-solving games.

Experiential Learning: Extending Play Beyond the Classroom
One of the standout features of CIS Bangalore is our commitment to experiential learning. Play and exploration extend beyond the classroom with children taking part in activities that connect their learning to real-world experiences. At the end of thematic units, students engage in hands-on activities such as field trips or on-campus learning activities. These experiences bring learning to life and help students make tangible connections between theory and practice.

For example, after completing the "At the Farm" unit, students may visit an animal sanctuary where they see first-hand the animals they learned about in class. These experiences not only enhance understanding, but also spark curiosity and excitement in young learners. By fostering a connection between academic concepts and the real world, students better grasp the significance of what they are learning and are more motivated to continue exploring.

Specialist Classes: Enriching the Play-Based Curriculum
In addition to the inquiry-based thematic units, students at CIS Bangalore benefit from a wide range of specialist classes. Subjects like music, art and physical education are an integral part of the elementary school experience. These classes are designed to complement the thematic units and provide students with opportunities to express themselves creatively, develop motor skills and foster a love for the arts.

For example, during a unit on the farm, children might create farm-related artwork in art class or learn farm-themed songs in music. Even during classes such as PE, students may walk like a crab or another animal that they know, and these skills would help build gross motor skills which in turn lays the foundation for them to play organised games and sports. These interdisciplinary connections help students retain information better and see the relationships between different subjects.

A World-Class Faculty and Facility: Nurturing Young Minds
What truly sets CIS Bangalore apart from other private elementary schools near you is our world-class faculty. Our teachers are highly trained professionals with years of experience in early childhood education. Many of our educators have over a decade of experience working with young children and are well-versed in the latest teaching methods and developmental milestones.

Our teachers not only provide academic instruction, but also serve as guides, mentors, and role models for our students. Their expertise ensures that students are supported academically, socially and emotionally, helping them build a strong foundation for future success.

To supplement the excellent education provided by our world-class faculty, CIS offers a state of the art facility that is a safe place for our students to learn and grow. It is a secure campus with purpose-built classrooms, vast outdoor playing areas and sports fields, a purpose-built theatre and musical performance rooms, a swimming pool and distinct learning areas for elementary, middle and high school study.

Preparing Students for a Lifelong Journey of Learning
At CIS Bangalore, we believe that elementary education is about more than just academic achievement. It's about nurturing the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally — through a play-based, inquiry-driven approach. By integrating play with rigorous academics, we provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in middle school, high school and beyond.

If you are searching for the best elementary school near me, or specifically an elementary school in Bangalore that values the power of play and inquiry, CIS Bangalore offers a unique, world-class education that nurtures every aspect of a child’s development. We invite you to explore our programme and discover how we can help your child thrive.