Early Years Education at Shrewsbury Bangkok: The Power of Connection
article SHC Article SHC Early years SHC Nursery SHC Story SHC TeacherWhy talking with children matters more than ever
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus recently welcomed parents and prospective families to an Early Years talk exploring one simple but powerful idea: connection is at the heart of how young children learn.
Shrewsbury Bangkok: One School, Two Campuses
Hosted at City Campus, the event was led by Cath Okill, Assistant Principal for Early Years and Key Stage 1 at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, alongside Jade Sharman, Assistant Principal for Early Years at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside. Their joint leadership highlighted Shrewsbury Bangkok’s “One School, Two Campuses”, where both campuses work closely together to ensure a shared philosophy, aligned practice, and a consistent, high-quality Early Years experience across Shrewsbury International School Bangkok.
This strong collaboration between City Campus and Riverside reflects Shrewsbury Bangkok’s commitment to delivering a unified educational vision while drawing on the strengths of both campuses.
Classroom Stories
Throughout the talk, Cath and Jade shared real classroom stories that brought research and practice to life. Cath described a conversation with a child who initially wanted to cook eggs, which then evolved into an idea about sharing food with others. By listening carefully and asking thoughtful questions, a simple exchange became a meaningful learning moment, guided entirely by the child’s interest.
Jade shared the story of a child who arrived at school without speaking. However, over time, through play, laughter, and time spent building trust, verbal communication gradually developed. This reminded parents that connection does not always begin with words, echoing the Reggio Emilia philosophy of the “Hundred Languages of the Child”.
Early Years is about Connection
Parents were reassured that learning in the Early Years begins with relationships. When children feel safe, understood, and emotionally secure, their brains are ready to learn. Strong connections with teachers, respect for a child’s first language, and a warm, language-rich environment all play a vital role in supporting development during the early years, when the foundations for learning are being built.
Parents as School Partners
Cath and Jade also shared practical strategies parents can use at home, including responding thoughtfully to children’s ideas, using non-verbal communication, expanding on what children say, and allowing time for thinking and processing. Parents were encouraged to remember that silence is okay, and that learning often happens in quiet moments of reflection.
At Shrewsbury Bangkok, families are seen as valued partners in every child’s learning journey. Events like this reflect Shrewsbury International School Bangkok’s commitment to working closely with parents across “One School, Two Campuses”, supporting children to grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus