Our Afternoon Spanish/English Program
Our Spanish program evolved in 2007 when families expressed an interest for their children to have an early introduction to the Spanish language. We believe that teaching a child a second language is a remarkable gift and a door to future opportunities in a global economy. When a child is exposed to and taught another language this encourages additional learning, develops better brain function, and increases cognitive and language skills.
Studies have also revealed that learning a language is much easier for younger children! Younger children are enthusiastic language learners, who are less self-conscious than older ones because they focus on communication and do not worry about making mistakes.
The children will be totally immersed in Spanish during circle time where they learn songs, colors, shapes and name recognition and story time. During circle time, the children are responding with excitement as they learn new signs, sound and words through the Zoo-phonics program. While the Spanish teachers are speaking Spanish and English to the children throughout the afternoon, the children are learning basic Spanish conversational skills and words during a key period when children’s language acquisition skills are most dynamic. Together these skills help open their minds and language capabilities. A parent recently shared her story about her child telling her to wash her hands in Spanish.
Included in this program we have a totally English component for families who wish their child to participate in a more traditional preschool program. All of the children in the Spanish and English program have opportunities to interact with one another throughout the day.
We offer a variety of learning activities for the Spanish and English programs which include cooking, table time, open-ended art, outdoor experience which include gardening in our outdoor classroom, sensory activities, science and math activities as well as dramatic play and the language acquisition table.
| "My oldest is attending the Spanish Immersion program, and speaks like a native. She doesn't know the whole language, but she's got the basics and says things appropriately. I'm so impressed by how much she's picked up." |