Full Spanish Immersion Classrooms for 2 and 3 year olds
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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR
The Spanish Language Immersion preschool program at St. Sebastian exists to set students up for success in our Dual Language Immersion program in our elementary school. Students who only know English will acquire the Spanish language. Spanish speakers will learn academic content in their native language and add additional proficiency. This will occur in our classroom through interaction, instruction, songs, colors, and theme vocabulary words in both languages. Our program is informed by our Catholic values or kindness, service and excellence. The students will move on from our program prepared to enter the bilingual educational environment in transitional kindergarten. We look forward to following the success of our students!
Curriculum
- Based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations (adapted to be age-appropriate)
- Elements of Reggio - Engagement - Documentation of Learning - Environment
- Learning through play
- Social emotional development
- Two healthy snacks provided: can include grains, dairy, and fruit
- Diapering - Potty training
- Music Enrichment
- Bilingual Music and Movement
- Children’s progress is followed throughout the year and formally documented twice a year
- It is our belief that learning is a continuum and all students will meet their developmental milestones with love and support from teachers and parents
- Bilingual learning assessment is informed by research and assisted by our ADLA DLI and TWIN-CS membership
OUR VALUES
•Establish positive and reciprocal relationships with each child, families, and community.
•Implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development: cognitive, emotional, language, physical, and social.
•Provide ongoing assessments of each child’s learning and development and communicate the child’s progress to the family.
•Provide a safe, engaging classroom climate.
•Building self-confidence and self-esteem in each child to grow up feeling happy and secure.
•Promote healthy nutrition and physical activity.
•Implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development: cognitive, emotional, language, physical, and social.
•Provide ongoing assessments of each child’s learning and development and communicate the child’s progress to the family.
•Provide a safe, engaging classroom climate.
•Building self-confidence and self-esteem in each child to grow up feeling happy and secure.
•Promote healthy nutrition and physical activity.
OUR MISSION
Saint Sebastian School provides academic excellence in a Catholic, multilingual setting in order to prepare students to serve as faith-filled disciples in our global community
WHO WE ARE
St. Sebastian Preschool provides a nurturing, diverse environment where children can develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Our daily practices incorporate emergent curriculum and anti-bias curriculum which stimulate each child’s unique interests, curiosity and sense of discovery. Come find out why we are the best Spanish Language Immersion preschool in Los Angeles!
Ultimately, our mission is to enhance the development of social skills, relationships, respect for others and oneself, self-help skills, autonomy, peaceful conflict resolution and the empowerment of one’s own ideas and feelings leading to success in school and life and most importantly, instill the love of learning. Our students will emerge from our program ready for our Transitional Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion program.
Ultimately, our mission is to enhance the development of social skills, relationships, respect for others and oneself, self-help skills, autonomy, peaceful conflict resolution and the empowerment of one’s own ideas and feelings leading to success in school and life and most importantly, instill the love of learning. Our students will emerge from our program ready for our Transitional Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion program.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF LEARNING
Our preschool philosophy is based on two concepts.
First, each child is a unique individual and will develop physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially at his or her own pace. We see children as competent learners, capable of engaging with ideas and the world around them. They are fully capable of developing through Spanish Immersion.
Second, it is our belief that children learn through play. Play is their work. Additionally, play is the natural mode of learning for the young child. It is through play and our hands-on approach that we introduce literacy, early mathematics, science and social studies. We believe that it is essential to create an atmosphere of trust and safety where children will strive to become independent critical thinkers who feel free to explore their environment confidently. Play is not a hinderance to bilingual learning, in fact, it is extremely helpful.
Our program philosophy is fundamentally driven by Developmentally Appropriate Practices for young children as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our curriculum is customized to meet each child’s individual needs socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively.
First, each child is a unique individual and will develop physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially at his or her own pace. We see children as competent learners, capable of engaging with ideas and the world around them. They are fully capable of developing through Spanish Immersion.
Second, it is our belief that children learn through play. Play is their work. Additionally, play is the natural mode of learning for the young child. It is through play and our hands-on approach that we introduce literacy, early mathematics, science and social studies. We believe that it is essential to create an atmosphere of trust and safety where children will strive to become independent critical thinkers who feel free to explore their environment confidently. Play is not a hinderance to bilingual learning, in fact, it is extremely helpful.
Our program philosophy is fundamentally driven by Developmentally Appropriate Practices for young children as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our curriculum is customized to meet each child’s individual needs socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00AM - Doors Open
9:00AM - Class Begins With Circle Time
10:00AM - Music
10:30AM - Class Activitities/Groups Split
12:00PM - Lunch
12:30PM - Nap Time
2:45PM - Wake Up/Snack
3:00PM - Dismissal
3:00PM-6:00PM - Aftercare
9:00AM - Class Begins With Circle Time
10:00AM - Music
10:30AM - Class Activitities/Groups Split
12:00PM - Lunch
12:30PM - Nap Time
2:45PM - Wake Up/Snack
3:00PM - Dismissal
3:00PM-6:00PM - Aftercare
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it too early or late for my child to be immersed in a new language?
Research actually states that learning languages around age three is actually an ideal time. At this time a child's brain is actually twice as active as an adult's, they have an increased ability to learn language. Language acquired early is a language acquired for life.
How soon will my child be speaking Spanish?
Language development is a process. Some students will come home excited and show you they know how to count in Spanish, while others might not want to share what they are learning or it might take them several weeks or months to pronounce one word. This is completely normal, learning a language happens over time. Research states that it can take anywhere from 5-10 years to become fully bilingual. The important thing to remember is that learning a language sooner rather than later is better for children.
How can you, the parent, help?
Parents your support is vital and encouraged. You can begin to talk to your child today and everyday before their immersion experience and tell them what they will experience. Explain to them that they will be learning Spanish and that the teacher will speak to them only in Spanish (unless it’s a complete emergency or they are very upset and must be comforted). Let them know that they are growing their brain and that you believe in them. Encourage them to take on this challenge and remind them that it might be difficult, but they should look at the teachers’ gestures, motions, and actions. They can also always look to their classmates to make sure they are on track with the instructions given. Reading and conversing with your children, in any language, will help them develop as linguistic skill as well.
Research actually states that learning languages around age three is actually an ideal time. At this time a child's brain is actually twice as active as an adult's, they have an increased ability to learn language. Language acquired early is a language acquired for life.
How soon will my child be speaking Spanish?
Language development is a process. Some students will come home excited and show you they know how to count in Spanish, while others might not want to share what they are learning or it might take them several weeks or months to pronounce one word. This is completely normal, learning a language happens over time. Research states that it can take anywhere from 5-10 years to become fully bilingual. The important thing to remember is that learning a language sooner rather than later is better for children.
How can you, the parent, help?
Parents your support is vital and encouraged. You can begin to talk to your child today and everyday before their immersion experience and tell them what they will experience. Explain to them that they will be learning Spanish and that the teacher will speak to them only in Spanish (unless it’s a complete emergency or they are very upset and must be comforted). Let them know that they are growing their brain and that you believe in them. Encourage them to take on this challenge and remind them that it might be difficult, but they should look at the teachers’ gestures, motions, and actions. They can also always look to their classmates to make sure they are on track with the instructions given. Reading and conversing with your children, in any language, will help them develop as linguistic skill as well.