Unlocking Potential: How Ascend Uses a Standards-Aligned Preschool Curriculum to Support Special Needs Learners
At Ascend Special Education in Phnom Penh, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. That’s why we offer a specialized preschool and kindergarten curriculum that meets international standards while remaining flexible enough to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other developmental challenges.
Our goal is to prepare children for success in inclusive general education settings. To do that, we use a globally recognized curriculum based on the California Frameworks, aligned with the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Singapore’s Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) standardsUK Singapore Liberty St…LED Curriculum Brochure…. This ensures that every child at Ascend learns core skills in literacy, numeracy, social development, and critical thinking—just like their peers in mainstream schools.
What makes our curriculum different is how we deliver it. Every child is unique, and our experienced special education staff know how to tailor each lesson to meet a child’s individual strengths and needs. Using a mix of teacher-guided instruction and hands-on, play-based learning, we support developmental goals while promoting independence and curiosity.
Children at Ascend engage in rich learning experiences across key domains:
- Early Literacy & Phonics: We help children develop language and pre-reading skills through storytelling, songs, and phonemic awareness activities.
- Numeracy & Problem Solving: Through games and puzzles, we build early math and logic skills in ways that are fun and engaging.
- Social and Emotional Development: Group activities and guided play foster communication, empathy, and confidence.
- Physical and Sensory Skills: Our program includes movement-based learning and sensory activities tailored to each child’s needs.
- Creative Arts: Every child is encouraged to express themselves through music, art, and imaginative play.
Because our curriculum is both structured and adaptable, it works especially well for children on the spectrum or with ADHD. With the support of qualified educators and therapists, many of our students build the skills they need to transition into general classroom environments.
At Ascend, we know that the earlier a child receives support, the greater the opportunity for long-term success. That’s why we emphasize early intervention, individualized learning, and preparation for inclusive education from day one.
Start early. Support growth. See your child thrive. Contact Ascend Special Education today to learn more about our preschool and kindergarten programs.