Metacognition: The Learning Secret at ISJ, The Leading British International School in Jakarta
At The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ), the leading British international school in Jakarta for children aged 2 to 13, our focus is not just on the content of their learning, but on the craft of becoming a lifelong learner.This focus is key to developing independent thinkers from the Early Years (age 2) through to the end of Primary School (age 13).
““Learning is not complete until reflection begins. We teach our students that every challenge is an opportunity to refine their strategy for the next time.””
One of the most powerful ways we do this is through something called metacognition. It might sound complicated, but it simply means thinking about thinking. It’s about helping our pupils understand how their minds work when they learn, so they can become the most confident, resilient learners at our British International School in Jakarta.
What Is Metacognition?
Metacognition is all about children knowing themselves as learners. It helps them recognise what they find easy or difficult, what strategies help them succeed, and how they can make changes when something isn’t working.
For example, a Primary School student at ISJ might realise, “I understand this poem better when I read it out loud,” or an older pupil might think, “I get confused when I rush through my maths questions — I need to slow down.” This awareness helps pupils, even our youngest in the Early Years, take control of their learning.
Metacognition also involves self-regulation—monitoring progress and adjusting along the way. A pupil might notice that their first plan didn't work and decide to try a different approach. Over time, this helps them become more flexible, resilient, and determined, skills vital for success at any Jakarta International School.
Integrating Metacognitive Practices
Our experienced teachers weave metacognitive thinking into lessons every day across the entire 2-13 age range. We encourage children to go through three key stages: planning, monitoring, and evaluating.
Planning – Before starting a task, pupils are asked to think about what they want to achieve and how they might get there. Examples: “Have I done something like this before?” or “What do I need to do first?”
Monitoring – While working, pupils learn to check their progress by asking: “Am I on the right track?” or “What could I do differently?” This helps pupils recognise when they’re struggling and encourages them to try new strategies.
Evaluating – After finishing, pupils reflect on how things went: “What worked well?”, “What could I improve next time?” or “Can I use this method again?”
Reflection turns every task, whether it went well or not, into a valuable learning experience.
Why Metacognition Matters for ISJ Students
Metacognitive skills help children become more thoughtful, confident, and independent learners. They begin to understand that effort, reflection, and strategy are just as important as natural ability. These are skills they can use not only at the International School of Jakarta (ISJ) but throughout life, when solving problems, making decisions, or facing challenges.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2014) states that, “Too often, we teach students what to think but not how to think.” At ISJ, we aim to do both — helping children grow into curious, self-aware learners who love discovering new things.
Supporting Metacognition at Home
Parents can help too! Try asking simple reflection questions after homework or projects, such as:
“What part did you find easiest or trickiest?”
“What helped you when you got stuck?”
“What would you do differently next time?”
These small conversations encourage children to think about their learning and remind them that mistakes are just another way to learn.
Ready for the Leading British Education in Jakarta?
If you are looking for the leading British Primary School in Jakarta that develops confident, lifelong learners from ages 2 to 13, ISJ is the right choice. Contact our admissions team today to schedule a visit and see how we put metacognition into action!
The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) is Jakarta's leading British international school for children aged 2–13, delivering the gold-standard English National Curriculum. Driven by our hand-picked teachers from top UK independent schools, our pupils consistently achieve remarkably high academic results.
Every child deserves a school where happiness and ambition go hand in hand. Discover how ISJ fosters both — connect with us today.