FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In our Pre-K - Kindergarten program, we dedicate an entire week to literacy instruction in Spanish, followed by a week of literacy instruction in English.
Research in Dual Language Education shows that providing students with extended time in one language supports:
- Deeper vocabulary development
- Stronger comprehension skills
- Confidence in reading and writing
- Clearer language boundaries for young learners
- Oral Language & Play is always flexible — we WANT translanguaging to happen naturally in centers & recess. Recess and informal conversations may include both languages, depending on student needs.
- Family gatherings and school celebrations also foster that integration
- Read books in both English and Spanish.
- Encourage your child to share what they learned each day — in either language!
- Celebrate your child's progress in becoming bilingual and biliterate.
We will collect your child language development data throughout the year by screening your child at of Beginning, Middle and End of the year. It will let us know how the student's progress is and allow us to make adjustments if needed.
A constructivist approach in education means students learn by doing and building their own understanding. Students ask questions, solve problems, and work together under the guide of an instructor.
We provide scaffolding to the student by implementing Lev Vygotsky' concepts like the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
In scaffolding instruction the teacher provides the tools and assistance to help the student grab the concept taught. Gradually, the instructor "remove" the "tools" until the student master the skill independently.
There are three dynamic zones of development in every learning process:
- Too Easy Zone: The student has already mastered the skill. This often leads to boredom and a loss of interest because the work isn't challenging.
- Zone of Proximal Development: The student can't do it alone yet, but can succeed with support from a teacher, peers, tools, or the learning environment. This is where the most effective learning happens.
Too Hard Zone: the work is beyond the student's current abilities. It often leads to frustration, and losing interest in the subject.
Executive Functioning refers to a set of mental skills that help with self-regulation, problem-solving, reasoning, flexible thinking, and working memory. These skills are key predictors of academic success.
Among others the benefits of being bilingual are cognitive flexibility, enhanced problem-solving skills, Cultural understanding, improved academic performance, neurological brain development and future career opportunities.