Preschool & Kindergarten

Learning a second language does not mean a child’s brain will have less space for the first language. In fact, research suggests that learning a second language can actually stimulate brain development and improve cognitive skills. Learn more.

At our international preschool, our goal is to provide students with a strong bilingual foundation in both English and French. We understand that while English is widely spoken in our community, it is important to actively immerse students in the French language in order to achieve proficiency. We are dedicated to providing instruction and opportunities for our students to thrive in both languages.

Learning a third language is a rewarding and enriching experience for a child, especially at a young age. Research suggests that being exposed to multiple languages has numerous benefits for cognitive and language development. Children have a natural ability to learn languages and are often able to pick up new languages more easily than adults. So, if your child is already proficient in two languages, learning a third language may come more naturally to them.

Don’t hesitate to encourage your child to take on this challenge and expand their linguistic abilities – they may surprise you with their progress and success

As an international preschool, we are proud to welcome a diverse student body, with over 42% of families who do not speak any French at home. Don’t worry, this is not new for us! 

Here are some ways you can support your child in their French language studies at home, even if you do not speak French yourself:

1. 1. Encourage your child to practice their French skills regularly, whether it be through homework assignments or additional language exercises.
   2. Provide a quiet and distraction-free environment for your child to do their French work in.
   3. Sit down with your child and ask them to explain their homework and what they have learned in their French class. This can help reinforce their understanding of the material and give you an idea of what they are struggling with or excelling in. You can also ask your child to teach you a few phrases or words in French to help them feel more confident and to show your interest in their studies.
   4. Encourage your child to use resources such as language learning apps, books, and videos to improve their skills.
   5. Encourage your child to listen to French music and watch French films or television shows to expose them to the language in a natural and enjoyable way.
   6. Talk to your child’s teacher about additional resources and support that may be available to help your child succeed in their French studies.
   7. Be supportive and encouraging of your child’s language learning journey, and celebrate their progress and accomplishments along the way.

At our International Preschool at the French American Academy, all of our French teachers are from countries where French is the official language and speak French as their native language and our English teachers are native English speakers. 

Our preschoolers leave their classrooms daily to engage in a variety of activities. They have scheduled daily gross motor skills class in the gym and, weather permitting, they visit Hamilton Park or our courtyard daily during recess. Preschoolers also visit our library, cafeteria, nap room, music room, and other areas of our school on a regular basis. In addition, we have a range of school events that provide additional opportunities for our preschoolers to explore and learn in new environments.

We believe that providing a diverse range of experiences is important for a child’s development, and we strive to offer a wide range of activities for our preschoolers to participate in.

Preschoolers at the French American Academy go outside as often as possible, weather permitting. They have scheduled outdoor time daily and may go to a nearby park or to our courtyard during recess and special activities.

We prioritize providing opportunities for our preschoolers to go outside and explore the outdoors as we believe it is important for their physical and cognitive development.

Our large library is a bright and welcoming place, perfect for cozy story times with the librarian.

Preschoolers visit the library at least once a week to enjoy a variety of books, but they also have access to additional books in their classrooms where their teachers also read to them. We believe that reading is an important part of a child’s development and strive to provide plenty of opportunities for our preschoolers to explore the joys of literature

At our international preschool at the French American Academy, we are inspired and include some Montessori core beliefs in our curriculum, but we are more than just a Montessori preschool. Our educational approach goes further than only Montessori core beliefs. We proactively promote 21st-century skills required in today’s world, bilingualism, project/play-based instruction, and global citizenship. 

Montessori Core beliefs we include in our curriculum: 

• • small class size to give students individualized attention 
  • embracing life-based teaching
  • promoting independence among children
  • manipulatives that link math and geography to day-to-day life