Play-Based Learning at OFS Kindergarten: Where Joyful Play Meets Meaningful Learning

By OFS

October 2025




The best kind of learning happens when children are having fun — and at Overseas Family School (OFS), play is at the heart of every child’s Kindergarten journey. Through play-based learning, our youngest learners explore, imagine, and discover in ways that nurture curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.


What is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based learning is an approach where children learn through purposeful play experiences designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills. Instead of memorizing facts or sitting at desks, children at OFS learn by experimenting, collaborating, creating, and asking questions.

Our Kindergarten uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) — an enquiry-based program that balances child-initiated play with teacher-guided exploration. This ensures play is joyful and connected to clear developmental goals.


The Benefits of Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood

Research shows that play isn’t just fun — it’s essential for growth. Through play-based learning, children develop:

  • Cognitive skills – Problem-solving, critical thinking, and early academic foundations.
  • Language and communication – Rich vocabulary, storytelling, and early literacy.
  • Social-emotional skills – Empathy, resilience, and the ability to collaborate.
  • Physical development – Fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and balance.
  • Confidence and independence – A sense of self that empowers future learning.



At OFS, these benefits are cultivated in a multicultural, supportive environment, where every child feels valued and inspired.


How Play-Based Learning Happens at OFS Kindergarten

The IEYC curriculum at OFS Kindergarten provides a clear structure that transforms play into meaningful learning. It is built on three Dimensions of Development — Personal, International, and Academic — and four core Learning Strands.


IEYC Four Learning Strands:
  • Independence and Interdependence – Through collaborative play, role-play, and group games, children build social confidence, emotional awareness, and resilience.
  • Communicating – Songs, stories, art, and early mathematics games strengthen language, literacy, creativity, and problem-solving.
  • Enquiring – Hands-on discovery, science activities, and outdoor exploration nurture curiosity about the world.
  • Healthy Living and Physical Well-Being – Sports, swimming, cooking, and outdoor play encourage a positive attitude to health and physical activity.


IEYC Personal and International Goals:

OFS Kindergarten also emphasizes the Eight IEYC Personal Goals: Adaptable, Empathetic, Ethical, Resilient, Respectful, Communicator, Collaborator, and Thinker. These qualities are woven into daily play, helping children develop the attributes they need to thrive in the 21st century.

At the same time, the IEYC International Learning Goals guide children to see themselves as part of a wider global community, fostering intercultural understanding and appreciation.

Playful Learning Across the OFS Kindergarten Curriculum

Every subject at OFS is designed to engage children through enjoyable, hands-on, and playful experiences:


  • Language Arts – Storytelling, phonics games, and shared reading nurture confidence in communication and early literacy.
  • Mathematics – Play with manipulatives, patterns, and shapes helps children become mathematical thinkers and problem-solvers.
  • Art and Music – Creative expression through painting, crafts, movement, and rhythm builds imagination and joy.
  • Cooking – Measuring, mixing, and preparing snacks turns kitchen play into real-world lessons.
  • ICT and Coding – Computer games, creative drawing, and early coding spark curiosity, persistence, and critical thinking.
  • Library – Storytime with puppets, felt boards, and role-play helps children develop a love for books.
  • Physical Education and Swimming – Games, obstacle courses, and water play strengthen coordination, teamwork, and confidence.
  • Chess – Strategic play develops patience, foresight, and logical thinking in a fun, age-appropriate way.
  • Mother Tongue and Foreign Languages – Daily exposure to multiple languages through playful lessons builds intercultural awareness.


Why Choose OFS for Your Child’s Early Years?

At OFS Kindergarten, play is more than fun — it’s the foundation for lifelong learning. With the IEYC curriculum, expert teachers, and a warm, inclusive community, children enjoy an early years experience that is:


  • Engaging and joyful – Every day is filled with curiosity-driven play.
  • Holistic – Academic, personal, and international learning are balanced.
  • Future-focused – Children develop the attributes needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.


✨ Ready to see play-based learning in action? Visit Overseas Family School and experience how our Kindergarten nurtures every child’s potential through play. Book a school tour with us today and reserve a spot here!


A Refreshing Alternative for Expat Families

For expat families who appreciate spacious living, a quieter neighbourhood, nature-filled weekends, and easy access to Singapore’s coastline, Pasir Ris is a compelling option. Whether you’re looking for a place to live or simply want to explore a different side of Singapore, the East is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Keen to learn more about Overseas Family School and what our campus has to offer? Check out our official website at ofs.edu.sg and reach out to our admissions team for a school tour!


OFS Admissions Director

Joyce Chee

admissions@ofs.edu.sg | +65 6738 0211

Overseas Family School, Block A, Level 6

https://www.ofs.edu.sg/


Interested to know more about student life in OFS? See what’s happening in OFS by following our social media channels on  Instagram,  Facebook, and  Youtube!