VOYAGER AND 2ND LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE PROGRAM: CHILDREN 4 - 5 years AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
Voyagers: The Beginning of a Lifelong Journey
These children are voyagers, embarking on the first leg of their long journey into formal education. This voyage should have a strong and hopeful beginning, where ideas, curiosity, and creativity are cherished, and imaginations are given the time and space to soar.
At this stage, children engage in complex social understanding, driven by a budding interest in justice and fairness. These interests spark engaging discussions and foster challenging problem-solving opportunities. While memory and skill acquisition are essential, it is equally important to honor the depth and complexity of children’s understanding. As W.B. Yeats so eloquently said, “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
Our goal is for these voyagers to spend their year on a journey that ignites their curiosity and inspires them, lighting a fire for the exciting voyage ahead.
Spanish Language Experience
The Spanish Language Experience enriches the PreK curriculum with Spanish language and cultural immersion. Families interested in this program may choose it even if their child was not previously enrolled in the 3-year-old Spanish program. However, preference will be given to children who have participated in the earlier Spanish experience.
Italian Language Experience
The Italian Language Experience continues in the multi-age Italian classroom, where Italian language and culture are integrated throughout the day. These second-language learning classes honor children’s natural curiosity and competence, maintaining the same flow of the day, materials, environment, and educational approach as other classrooms.
Our language learning program emphasizes child-directed, play-based exploration, rooted in the belief that language acquisition is a natural, organic process for children. Teachers communicate exclusively in the target language, weaving it seamlessly into the daily life of the classroom.
Key strategies include:
- Memorization of songs to build vocabulary and rhythm.
- Interactive storytelling and games that engage children’s imaginations.
- Use of visual aids such as pictures and contextual clues to support comprehension.
Through these immersive experiences, children develop not only language skills but also an appreciation for the richness of diverse cultures, all while enjoying the adventure of learning.