#London #United Kingdom #Nord Anglia #Flag Time #Early Years

Expanding Metacognition in Early Education: The Flag Time Initiative

Nord Anglia Education, a prominent international educational group, has rolled out an innovative research project known as 'Flag Time'. This initiative, designed for children aged 3 to 6, aims to deepen understanding of metacognition—the cognitive process where learners consider how they think and learn. In this groundbreaking study, 21 Nord Anglia schools will explore how structured reflection periods can empower young students to assess their learning journey actively.

Understanding Flag Time

Launched under the leadership of Dr. Anne Baldisseri, Head of School at Avenues São Paulo, Flag Time is integrated into daily classroom routines, allowing young learners twenty minutes each day for reflective learning activities. This routine is geared towards helping children assess their strengths, acknowledge areas needing improvement, and enhance their overall self-awareness.

Teachers utilize a unique system where each child’s name and picture is attached to a flag, indicating personalized tasks laid out in designated parts of the classroom. During Flag Time, these tasks are carefully tailored to resonate with each child's individual interests and learning requirements. For instance, a teacher may create an adventurous math challenge that requires children to use magnifying glasses to uncover and solve math problems hidden within scenes depicting thrilling escapades.

At the culmination of each session, students participate in a reflection segment where they evaluate their achievements and refine their personal learning goals. This practice not only nurtures a mindset of continuous improvement from a young age but also instills independence and confidence.

Research Objectives

The core aims of the Flag Time project include:

• - Fostering self-regulated learning by encouraging students to reflect on their progress.
• - Enhancing independence and confidence, enabling early learners to actively engage in their educational experiences.

Dr. Anne Baldisseri emphasizes the importance of metacognition in academic success, stating, "While research indicates that metacognition is essential for student achievement, its implementation in early childhood education has not been extensively explored. Flag Time provides young learners the necessary structure and vocabulary to reflect on their thought processes, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and actively make choices regarding their education."

Similarly, Dr. Kate Erricker, Group Head of Education Research at Nord Anglia Education, highlights how embedding reflective practices into daily routines equips young children with essential skills. She notes that by integrating choice and self-assessment into their learning journey, Flag Time prepares students to engage with challenges confidently and thoughtfully.

Future Potentials

The findings from the Flag Time project are expected to be released by Nord Anglia in summer 2025. They will include recommendations for educators on how to weave metacognitive strategies into early education effectively.

This initiative marks the third major research endeavor by Nord Anglia focusing on metacognition, following a successful collaboration with Boston College in 2023, which explored how such strategies can significantly enhance learning within the Nord Anglia global school network. Additionally, Flag Time aligns seamlessly with Nord Anglia's ongoing research partnership with Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education, aiming to contribute to student development through a focus on creativity, curiosity, collaboration, compassion, critical thinking, and commitment—elements that define their 'Learner Ambitions'.

About Nord Anglia Education

As a leading force in international education, Nord Anglia Education is dedicated to cultivating a new generation of creative and resilient global citizens. With over 80 schools across 33 countries and a student body exceeding 90,000, their mission is to deliver exceptional educational experiences tailored to every student's unique learning journey. Through remarkable teaching and innovative curricula, Nord Anglia continues to inspire students to surpass their perceived limitations and achieve outstanding academic success, propelling them toward acceptance into prestigious universities globally.

To discover more or enroll your child in one of Nord Anglia's schools, please visit nordangliaeducation.com.