Pre-Kindergarten
INSPIRING SUCCESS
Welcome Future Knights!
Picture your child bounding through our doors each morning, eager to discover what the day holds, where safety, joy, and rich learning aren't competing priorities but woven together seamlessly.Loving educators shower your child with opportunities to grow as a thinker and as a friend. Every classroom has two early childhood specialist teachers plus dedicated support staff to ensure there is always a helping hand.
While one teacher guides circle time, the other notices your daughter's first brave attempt to share, or sits beside your son as he works through big feelings. Expert instruction in early reading, mathematics, and Portuguese builds strong foundations along with garden discoveries to spark scientific thinking, stories to bring history alive, music, art, and physical education.
Our classrooms overflow with beautiful materials chosen to invite wonder and spark imagination. Strong social-emotional learning supports every interaction, every transition, every moment. Our Pre-Kindergarten students transition beautifully to elementary school as confident, curious learners who genuinely love learning.
They're socially capable, emotionally grounded, and academically ready.
Erica Herro
Head of Lower School
The TASIS Advantage
Learning is marked by clear moments of celebration: Heggerty Heroes, Core Knowledge Super Events, Singapore Math mornings, spelling bees, “Battle of the Books”, house reading competitions, and local and international math competitions. Students share their ideas through TASIS Speaks, the TASIS Times, and the 100-word writing contest, while the Sustainability Committee leads campus initiatives. These events provide students with opportunities to show progress, build confidence, and take part in school life.
Building Background Knowledge
Core Knowledge Curriculum®
The Core Knowledge (CK) Curriculum is a sequential, content-rich curriculum that covers language arts (reading and writing), history and geography, art, and music. Its philosophy is based on the idea that knowledge builds upon knowledge.
Singapore Math
We utilize Singapore Math, widely considered the most effective method of teaching mathematics. As we introduce math, students learn to use manipulatives and apply their mathematical knowledge across other content areas, gaining familiarity with the concepts necessary for deep problem-solving. By teaching children the "why" before the "how", we make skill building enjoyable and accessible.
Next Generation Science Standards
Our Early Learning Center students begin to learn the principles of science through exploration & experimentation. The outdoor classroom is designed to facilitate their understanding of basic concepts such as measurement, hypothesis, cause and effect, and more. We prioritize a fun and engaging approach to science, focusing on enjoyment rather than competition.
Learning & Play Areas
Our Pre-Kindergarten program places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, incorporating the principles of Forest School — a nature-based approach that supports holistic child development and fosters a deep appreciation for the environment. Children regularly engage in hands-on exploration in our dedicated woodland garden and outdoor classroom, where they discover natural materials, observe wildlife, and develop curiosity through play and investigation. Complementing our outdoor environment, our thoughtfully designed indoor learning and play spaces provide a warm and stimulating setting where children can explore, create, collaborate, and develop essential early learning skills. Together, our indoor and outdoor environments encourage independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
A World of Exploration
Led By Dedicated Specialists
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which students develop an understanding of their emotions, learn how to manage them effectively, set and work towards positive goals, demonstrate empathy towards others, establish and maintain healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions by actively solving problems
ELLI Skills
The ELC utilizes the Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory (ELLI) program to impart essential learning skills and traits. ELLI introduces seven learning characteristics, each represented by an animal, through child-friendly stories that allow students to connect their learning skills with their emotions.
In the ELC, we also promote a growth mindset through Glow and Grow reflection time. Children evaluate themselves, engage in discussions with their peers and teachers about their strengths and goals, and express their reflections through drawings, writing, and conversations. "Glows" represent positive aspects, such as accomplishments or behaviors that we take pride in and want to continue. "Grows" refer to areas that have the potential to enhance our learning, perseverance, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Expected Behaviour
When we comprehend a child's feelings, we become more adept at recognizing the areas in which they require support. Through a proactive approach that involves identifying appropriate choices in response to student actions, we foster the development of emotionally healthy behavior. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a school-based framework that emphasizes acknowledging positive behaviors rather than solely focusing on a child's challenges. While PBIS and SEL are effective independently, together they contribute to a comprehensive pastoral program that prioritizes the well-being of each child.
Healthy Eaters
Visitors are often pleasantly surprised to witness the enthusiasm and healthy eating habits of our youngest students. We collaborate with an outstanding dining service partner that takes pride in crafting nutritious meals that children genuinely enjoy. Each child has the opportunity to develop manners, etiquette, and an appreciation for making wholesome choices during mealtime. Every day, children are provided with a fresh whole food lunch and two snacks, and it is not uncommon for them to request second and third helpings.
Teacher Spotlight
Forest School
During our Forest School sessions, it is a joy to witness the children’s genuine love for the forest and their deepening connection with the natural world. Rooted in the belief that children thrive in outdoor environments, the Forest School philosophy encourages exploration, play, and self-paced learning. This approach offers a wide range of benefits for students’ physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing. Time spent in nature fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, while also building resilience, confidence, and a sense of curiosity. By immersing children in the natural environment, Forest School cultivates a lasting appreciation for the earth, inspiring them to care for and protect our precious ecosystems.
A Day in the Life of a PK Student
The Pre-Kindergarten Promise
TASIS Portugal is proud to have a team of skilled and compassionate educators who inspire a genuine love of learning in every student while placing strong emphasis on each child’s overall well-being. These dedicated professionals create a nurturing environment where young learners are supported, encouraged, and empowered to take ownership of their educational journey, fostering independence across all areas of development. As a result, students are well-prepared to enter Elementary School with the academic foundation, social confidence, and emotional resilience needed to thrive.