Civic & Values Education
In 2023, Iyad Perdaus launched its Civic and Values Education (CVE) programme to embrace the direction set by the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Framework, which places strong emphasis on values, social and emotional competencies, and positive learning dispositions. This initiative reinforces our belief that character development and holistic growth are central to early childhood education.
We humbly embrace an inclusive and values-based approach that fosters respect, responsibility, care, integrity and acceptance. During non-curriculum hours, our morning assembly includes simple practices such as reflections, expressions of gratitude, and positive affirmations, helping to nurture mindfulness and well-being in children’s daily routines.
Our main curriculum adheres closely to the NEL framework, which guide the development of strong values and essential life skills. To deepen these foundations, lessons are delivered by dedicated educators through storytelling, discussions, singspiration, and experiential learning activities. These approaches aim to cultivate moral values, social responsibility, and positive character traits in an engaging and meaningful way.
Iyad Perdaus’ desired graduate outcomes—CORE: a Confident Child, an Optimistic Individual, and a Resilient Learner—are rooted in universal principles of honesty, trustworthiness, effective communication, and wisdom. These qualities form the cornerstone of our character education approach, reflecting our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals for the future.
Nurturing with Passion and Love
At Iyad, our philosophy is rooted in the belief that nurturing with passion and love means going beyond academic learning to focus on the heart and mind. We see children as active learners and co-constructors of knowledge, and we strive to empower their curiosity and learning spirit.
By creating a safe and caring environment, we lay the foundation for emotional well-being and confident exploration. Through hands-on experiences and guided discovery, children develop understanding, question, and make sense of the world in meaningful ways (EYDF, NEL).
Our commitment is to provide a nurturing, stimulating, and holistic educational journey—
where every child can grow, thrive, and flourish.
We Learn Through...
Stories And Discussions
At Iyad Perdaus, stories and discussions are central to our Civic and Values Education (CVE) approach. We conduct regular storytelling sessions using both published children’s books and teacher-created stories that focus on manners, etiquette, and social behaviours. These stories serve as springboards for meaningful conversations, helping children relate values to real-life situations.
Through guided discussions where they actively participate in, they learn to express their thoughts, consider different perspectives, and reflect on their actions. This approach builds thoughtful communication, empathy, and a deeper understanding of right and wrong.
Singspiration
Songs are a purposeful part of our CVE sessions. Many of the songs used are specially written by our educators, tailored to teach values and manners in a way that is fun, engaging, and easy to remember. These sing-along sessions help children internalise everyday etiquette — from greeting others politely to taking turns and saying thank you. The rhythm and repetition in music support recall and active participation, while group singing builds a sense of community and confidence in expressing positive behaviours.
Practical And Hands-On
Children learn through play. We recognise that real-life, hands-on experiences provide the strongest foundation for learning values. In our CVE sessions, children engage in purposeful activities such as puzzles that promote turn-taking and cooperation, as well as role-play and class routines that mirror everyday social interactions.
We also extend learning beyond the classroom by encouraging simple acts of responsibility, such as helping with chores at home to support their family members. These meaningful experiences help children apply values in context, build lifelong skills and yield independence by developing self-confidence and autonomy, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions and decisions and care for others.
Take A Look At What We Have Done!
Family Involvement, Projects
And Collaboration
Our termly newsletter provides regular updates on the values and topics covered in class, based on our lesson outlines. It highlights key takeaways, classroom activities, and simple ways for families to reinforce learning at home. We also share recommended websites and reading materials related to manners and values, offering families additional tools to support character development beyond the classroom.
The “Special Me” Challenge is a yearly at-home activity that encourages parents and children to bond through meaningful, value-based tasks. The challenge promotes self-reflection, connection, and appreciation within the family, reinforcing positive values beyond the classroom.
Suggested Readings
Suggested Values-Based Children’s Books
The Things I Love Series
by Trace Moroney
Children learn through play. We recognise that real-life, hands-on experiences provide the strongest foundation for learning values. In our CVE sessions, children engage in purposeful activities such as puzzles that promote turn-taking and cooperation, as well as role-play and class routines that mirror everyday social interactions. We also extend learning beyond the classroom by encouraging simple acts of responsibility, such as helping with chores at home to support their family members. These meaningful experiences help children apply values in context, build lifelong skills and yield independence by developing self-confidence and autonomy, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions and decisions and care for others.
Learning To Get Along Series
by Cheri J. Meiners
Learning to Get Along is a 13-book series written by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed., a former first-grade teacher with a master’s degree in elementary and gifted education. She has also taught education classes at Utah State University and supervised student teachers. This book series is designed to help children learn, understand and practice basic social and emotional skills. Real-life situations, diversity, and concrete examples make these read-aloud books appropriate for childcare settings, schools,and the home. Each book includes discussion questions to share, games to play, and activities that reinforce the ideas being taught.
The Thank You Book
by Danna Smith
Thanking is easy. Thanking is fun. Can you find a way to thank someone? Through rhyming text and vibrant ilustrations, the book explores simple yet meaningful gestures-like hugging a friend, thanking a teacher, or drawing a picture - to show appreciation. As the book progress, the scale of the thank-you grows, encouraging young readers to see how even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
When I Feel Angry
by Marnie Willow
Developed in close consultation with expert child psychotherapist Dr. Sharie Coombes, this beautiful series of books about emotions make an ideal tool to help children recognize, understand, and talk about their feelings more easily.
