Our Preschool Curriculum
HolaKids and NiHaoKids Preschools are based on the immersion model of language instruction. Immersion is an approach in which the usual curricular activities are conducted fully in the new language. Children will experience all the joys of regular preschool – in a foreign language!
Our unique immersion preschool delivers academic excellence with the benefit of immersion and provides for the development of the whole child, including:
Self-esteem and positive self-image
Social skills and interaction
Self-expression and communication skills
Creative expression
Large and small muscle development
Intellectual growth
Cultural curiosity
We developed our curriculum around essential areas of learning:
Our curriculum is the structural framework for our lesson plans, where carefully selected themes integrate vocabulary so there is repetition and reinforcement. Themes expand with the student's growing capabilities and skills. Grammar is taught by example, indirectly rather than by rote instruction, which is recongized as ineffective for children in the preschool years. Each level of our foreign language curriculum builds on the previous level and introduces vocabulary including verbs, nouns and adjectives in a carefully planned, progressive method. Routine interaction in foreign language is constant in the classroom. Socialization skills (sharing, taking turns, etc.), asking for help, throwing out garbage, putting away classroom items, are all essential elements of the language instruction. Cultural themes are integrated with celebrations of holidays, and celebration of foods, dance and song.
Our unique immersion preschool delivers academic excellence with the benefit of immersion and provides for the development of the whole child, including:
Self-esteem and positive self-image
Social skills and interaction
Self-expression and communication skills
Creative expression
Large and small muscle development
Intellectual growth
Cultural curiosity
We developed our curriculum around essential areas of learning:
- Language – listening & understanding, speaking & understanding
- Literacy – phonemic and print awareness, early writing, alphabet knowledge
- Mathematics – geometric & spatial sense, patterns, measurement, numbers
- Social/Emotional – self concept and self control, cooperation and social relationships, community awareness
- Creative Arts – music & movements, art
- Approaches to Learning - Initiative, curiosity, engagement and persistence
- Science - Scientific skills, methods and knowledge
- Physical Health and Safety
- Bilingualism and multi-cultural understanding
Our curriculum is the structural framework for our lesson plans, where carefully selected themes integrate vocabulary so there is repetition and reinforcement. Themes expand with the student's growing capabilities and skills. Grammar is taught by example, indirectly rather than by rote instruction, which is recongized as ineffective for children in the preschool years. Each level of our foreign language curriculum builds on the previous level and introduces vocabulary including verbs, nouns and adjectives in a carefully planned, progressive method. Routine interaction in foreign language is constant in the classroom. Socialization skills (sharing, taking turns, etc.), asking for help, throwing out garbage, putting away classroom items, are all essential elements of the language instruction. Cultural themes are integrated with celebrations of holidays, and celebration of foods, dance and song.
