In the context of early childhood education in Vietnam becoming increasingly diverse in terms of teaching methods and curricula, parents are no longer faced only with the question of “Which school is good?” but must also consider more deeply, “Which approach is right for my child?”. Alongside familiar models such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or bilingual and integrated international programs, HighScope has gradually emerged as a fresh option—one that is grounded in solid research and offers strong practical applicability.
Through research, synthesis, and close collaboration with many families on their school-selection journeys, Esearch has observed that HighScope is not an approach focused on early academic training or achievement-driven outcomes. Rather, it is an educational approach that emphasizes children’s experiences, thinking skills, and autonomy from the very early years. Although it is not yet widely adopted in Vietnam, HighScope is gaining increasing attention thanks to its well-established research foundation and real-world applicability. This article aims to help parents gain a clearer understanding of the HighScope educational model—its core philosophy, classroom practices, the values it brings to children, and its current context of implementation in Vietnam.
HighScope as a Child-Centered Approach
The HighScope approach was developed in the United States in the 1960s and is designed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early primary-age children. It is grounded in the core belief that:
“Children learn best when they are actively involved in their own learning.”
Within The HighScope Curriculum, children are encouraged to:
Make choices about their learning activities
Learn through hands-on, sensory, and emotional experiences
Construct knowledge through play, exploration, and social interaction
Teachers in HighScope classrooms do not function as traditional instructors. Instead, they serve as partners in learning, supporting children through intentional observation, open-ended questioning, and positive adult–child interactions.
The Core Learning Process: Plan–Do–Review
A defining feature of The HighScope Curriculum is the Plan–Do–Review sequence, which provides a consistent structure for active learning throughout the day:
Plan: Children express their intentions and make choices about the activities they plan to engage in.
Do: Children carry out their plans through active exploration, experimentation, and hands-on learning.
Review: Children reflect on their experiences with teachers, sharing ideas, feelings, and outcomes.
This sequence supports the development of thinking skills, language development, independence, and responsibility, while also helping children build reflective thinking from an early age.
Developmental Benefits of the HighScope Approach
Rather than focusing on early academic outcomes, The HighScope Curriculum is designed to support children’s long-term development by strengthening key areas such as:
Independent thinking and problem-solving
Communication and emotional expression
Cooperation and social competence
Confidence and readiness for future learning stages
These foundational competencies are essential for children’s success not only in school, but throughout their lives.
The HighScope Approach in the Context of Education in Vietnam
In Vietnam, many families are familiar with educational approaches that emphasize early knowledge acquisition and academic preparation. However, experience has shown that some children may struggle with independence, communication, or self-expression when early learning is overly academic.
By respecting each child’s natural developmental pace, the HighScope approach offers an alternative perspective—one that values active learning, emotional development, social skills, and meaningful experiences alongside cognitive growth. When implemented flexibly and adapted to Vietnamese cultural and family contexts, The HighScope Curriculum can serve as a valuable option for early childhood education.
Early Childhood Schools Applying the HighScope Approach in Vietnam
🏫 Little People Kindergarten
Little People Kindergarten is one of the early childhood education systems in Vietnam that integrates The HighScope Curriculum based on U.S. standards. The program is designed to fully implement the principles of active learning, experiential learning, and reflection, serving children from infant and toddler age (under 36 months) to preschool (ages 3–5).
In addition, Little People combines the HighScope approach with complementary programs such as STEAM and pre-primary preparation, supporting children’s smooth transition into formal schooling.
🏫 Kidzone Bilingual Preschool
Kidzone Bilingual Preschool in Ho Chi Minh City applies The HighScope Curriculum for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The school offers multiple learning tracks—including standard, bilingual, and international programs—delivered by both Vietnamese and international educators, while maintaining the core principles of the HighScope approach.
🏫 Sakura Schools
In 2025, Sakura Schools introduced a curriculum applying The HighScope Curriculum in Vietnam, becoming the first early childhood education system in the country to implement both the Montessori approach and the HighScope approach in parallel. Alongside Montessori education, the HighScope approach plays a strategic role in Sakura Schools’ educational framework, expanding access to experiential learning and demonstrating the school’s commitment to educational innovation and community contribution.
CONCLUSION
HighScope is not a “one-size-fits-all” educational formula. Rather, it is a model well suited to families who value a child’s natural developmental process, independence, and independent thinking from the early childhood years. When implemented in line with its core philosophy and adapted flexibly to Vietnam’s cultural and family context, HighScope can become a solid foundation for children to develop long-term learning skills and life skills.
At Esearch, we believe that choosing a school and an educational approach should not be driven by trends or isolated marketing messages. Instead, it should be grounded in a deep understanding of the child, family values, and the actual quality of implementation at each educational institution. By providing transparent information, multi-dimensional comparisons, and regularly updated insights, Esearch aims to accompany parents in making educational decisions that are appropriate, sustainable, and beneficial to children’s holistic development in the long run.
* Esearch is always ready to accompany you on the journey of finding the best educational environment for the next generation.
For more details on school programs, facilities, and admissions, please visit:https://esearch.vn/en.
Source: Compiled by Esearch
