Principal’s Weekly Update 06 ATL in action

Dear PYP Parents,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week! Thank you, as always, for your continued support in helping our students grow as independent, confident, and caring learners

This week, I’d like to talk about an important part of learning—developing social skills, self-management skills, and communication skills. These are fundamental skills that help children navigate friendships, handle challenges, and express themselves effectively. They are just as important as academic knowledge, and just like reading or math, they require time, practice, and patience.

Social & Emotional Growth is Part of Learning

School is more than just a place to learn subjects—it is where children practice how to work with others, handle disagreements, and become part of a community. It is normal for children to face frustrations as they learn these skills. They might feel upset when they disagree with a friend, when they have to share materials, or when they don’t get their way in a game.

As a PYP learning community, we teach children how to navigate these challenges rather than avoid them. We don’t expect children to get everything right immediately—but we do expect them to try, learn, and improve over time.

How Teachers Support Children at School

At school, teachers help students build these skills by:

• Encouraging cooperation – In group activities, students learn to listen to others’ ideas, share responsibilities, and work as a team.

• Helping students talk through disagreements – If students argue over who should go first or who gets a turn, teachers guide them to express their feelings calmly, listen to each other, and find a fair solution.

• Teaching self-regulation – Students practice waiting their turn, managing frustration, and responding appropriately when things don’t go their way.

Teachers use their professional judgment to step in when needed, especially if there is a safety concern. However, not every disagreement or frustration requires adult intervention—many of these are learning moments that help children build resilience.

How Parents Can Support These Skills at Home

At home, parents can reinforce these skills by helping children reflect on their experiences rather than immediately fixing problems for them.

• If your child comes home upset about a disagreement, instead of saying, “That’s not fair!”, try:

• “What happened? How did you feel? How do you think the other person felt?”

• If your child says someone didn’t share, instead of immediately stepping in, encourage them to think of ways to solve the problem next time:

• “What could you say to your friend in that situation?”

• “What might help you both feel happy with the outcome?”

• If your child feels left out, ask:

• “What could you do to include yourself in the game next time?”

• “How do you think your friends were feeling in that moment?”

These small conversations help children build confidence, emotional resilience, and problem-solving skills.

We Are a Community – Learning Together

As a PYP school, we believe that social and emotional growth is just as important as academic success. Children need opportunities to navigate social challenges and build the skills to handle them independently.

As adults, we set the example. By valuing diversity, encouraging problem-solving, and teaching our children how to communicate effectively, we are helping them develop skills that will serve them throughout life.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students become confident, thoughtful, and resilient learners. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out.

Wishing you all a joyful and relaxing weekend!

Ian Barnes

Principal

Concordia International School Ningbo