Concept-based and competency-based curricula

The different development areas of the program


  • Le programme repose sur cinq aires de développement qui, ensemble, assurent le développement global de l’enfant. Ces cinq aires sont les suivantes :
    • développement affectif et social 
    • développement intellectuel
    • développement physique et bien-être
    • développement esthétique et artistique
    • développement de la responsabilité sociale

Emotional and social development

A variety of learning situations allow the child to:

  • Interacting with other children and adults in structured environments such as group play and informal conversations.
  • Collaborative activities that encourage communication, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing, such as group projects and teamwork.
  • Encouraging empathy and understanding of others' emotions through activities such as theater, role-playing, and storytelling.



Intellectual development

    Various learning situations allow the child:

    • Problem-solving: Encouraging children to find creative solutions to concrete or imaginary problems.
    • Reading: offering age-appropriate books to develop their comprehension and imagination.
    • Science activities: conducting experiments, making observations, and asking questions to develop their curiosity and critical thinking skills.
    • Board games: developing concentration, logic, memory, strategy, and communication.
    • Artistic activities: Encouraging creative expression through painting, drawing, music, theater, or dance to stimulate their imagination and aesthetic sensitivity.

    Physical development and wellness

    A variety of learning situations allow the child to:

    • Regular physical activities such as outdoor games, sports, and dance activities that stimulate growth and strengthen coordination.
    • Healthy eating habits, balanced snacks, and nutritious meals are key elements of children's physical well-being.
    • Moments of relaxation and rest, such as meditation activities, can help children develop their ability to manage stress and emotions..
    • Sufficient rest and sleep are crucial for children's physical and mental development. Children require enough time to rest and sleep in order to recuperate, recharge, and prepare for new adventures.

    Aesthetic and artistic development

    A variety of learning situations allow the child to:

    •  Practice artistic activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, or music to encourage creativity and personal expression.
    • Introducing art history to familiarize children with various artistic movements and help them develop their artistic taste.
    • Implementation of collective art projects to encourage teamwork, communication, and collaboration
    • Planning educational outings to encourage children to visit museums, art galleries, or exhibitions to discover artworks and artistic cultures..
    • Offering extracurricular activities such as dance, theater, or gymnastics to develop a sense of aesthetics and body awareness in order to promote children's physical expression.


    Development of social responsibility

    A variety of learning situations allow the child to:

    • Cooperative games: Games that require cooperation and interaction among players can help children understand the importance of working as a team and develop their empathy.
    • Class projects: Participating in class projects can help children develop their social responsibility by encouraging them to work together, communicate effectively, and make group decisions.
    • Classroom discussions: discussions on topics such as social inequalities, social justice, and human rights can help children understand their role in society and reflect on how they can contribute to a fairer world.
    • Cultural experiences: Visiting museums, cultural trips, or international exchanges can help children understand and appreciate the diverse cultures of the world and develop their tolerance and respect for others.

                     Model Curriculum

    All learning areas are based on the "know-do-comprehend" model to foster a conceptual and competency-based approach to learning.

    Three elements - content (knowing), disciplinary skills (doing), and big ideas (understanding) - are intertwined to support deep learning.

    Our curriculum structure is deeply rooted in the British Columbia curriculum and allows for a personalized, flexible and innovative approach at all levels of the education system.

    All learning areas were restructured using this model.

    Program highlights

    Valuing diversity

    Ideal International School welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds and with different abilities and interests. The school system aims to meet the needs of all students. When selecting themes, activities and resources to implement the curriculum, teachers are encouraged to ensure that these choices support inclusion, equity and accessibility for all students. Specifically, teachers will need to ensure that instruction, assessment, and classroom resources respect diversity and present positive images, relevant topics, and themes such as inclusion, respect, and acceptance. This includes diversity in gender identity, culture and religion.

    The school system seeks to establish and maintain conditions that promote the success of all students.

    These terms include:

    • Equitable access to and participation in quality education for all students;
    • school cultures that value diversity and meet the social and educational needs of each student;
    • school cultures that promote understanding of others and respect for all;
    • school environments that are safe and welcoming;
    • policies and practices that promote fair and equitable treatment;
    • decision-making processes that allow all members of the school community to express their opinions.

    Respect for diversity in the school system is based on the principle that when : our differences are recognized and used in a positive way, our learning and working environments benefit.

     program's advantages