SPANISH

A+ Learning Academy has an original curriculum designed to teach your children Spanish in a natural and active environment. Our programs encourage children to be responsible, think critically and remain open for an intercultural dialogue while staying conscious of their own cultural identity. We provide your children with a variety of ways to play, discover, and share.

Although we do everything we can to make learning Spanish fun, we take Spanish for children very seriously. Exposing a child to a second language allows him or her to optimize their learning potential. Standardized testing has shown that preschool students who studied a foreign language scored higher on tests in reading, math, and language arts. Young children are ideally suited to learn a second language - cognitively, it as easy as learning a first language. Children who have learned a foreign language show greater cognitive development in mental flexibility, creativity, reasoning, and problem-solving. Our Spanish resources provide everything a child needs to quickly learn Spanish, including over 100 Spanish games to make studying Spanish fun! Learning Spanish allows us to create a variety of resources that teach in multiple ways. We base our teaching on fundamental principles of language acquisition. Whether we are working one-on-one with your child or teaching a Spanish lesson to a group, these components are essential to every unit and lesson we plan.

Movement enhances language learning tremendously. In addition to fingerplays, songs with actions and acting out words, we add fun movement in other ways.

Here are a few examples of activities with movement that are appropriate for a preschool Spanish lesson:
5 Spanish finger plays.
Spanish movement songs to teach first verbs.
Camino de colores Spanish color game.

INFANT PROGRAM

With our babies, we are introducing the learning environment, language, and creating a seamless transition from home to school. We give infants one-on-one attention, helping new brain cells connect and promote feelings of security and confidence. Once the babies feel stable, it allows them to explore the environment around them with teacher guidance.

At A+ Academy, we practice Safe Sleep environments in our infant classrooms. We place all babies in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress and a well-fitting sheet. ​

Our infant program is built to provide a nurturing and comfortable environment for babies as they transition into this new and exciting phase. Each week our lesson plans are planned out and divided into activities for mobile and non-mobile babies. We make sure that we pay close attention to each child's individual needs. Developmental activities will be planned out as needed and include practices like rolling over, head control and sitting up. It's all about what is best for the baby. Our infant room also takes part in arts and crafts with footprint and tummy time artwork. 

For nap time, each infant has their own crib with their name and family pictures hanging on the wall. We always keep track of who can roll over and who is still practicing. Refrigerators are available to store formula or milk if mothers are nursing. At A+ Learning Academy, we encourage parents to drop in any time! Moms are always welcome to stop in to nurse. ​

TODDLER PROGRAM

In the toddler classroom we are promoting the next developmental stage as they move from the infant room. We focus on creating spaces where they can explore, investigate materials and gain sensory experiences. The teachers introduce a language rich environment with narration and play by play methods.  We focus on allowing the child to explore their own personal interests at this age.

As language is developing at the toddler stage, the teachers incorporate sign language skills into their daily activities. The toddler playgrounds are easily accessible and developmentally appropriate - challenging but fun! 

Toddler Schedules

We follow a daily routine in our toddler classroom at A+ Learning Academy. A schedule is important for this age group so we create consistency and a nice flow for the day. 

The day starts with all the toddler arrivals as we prepare to eat breakfast. After a delicious and nutritious breakfast, we start on our first interest area of the week. For example, in the beginning of fall, our interest area for the week may be "fall leaves". After that we do an art project that goes along with our current theme. We also spend time outside during the mornings when the weather in nice. Our toddlers enjoy music and dancing throughout the day to keep moving - new dance moves appear daily! ​At lunchtime, we wash up before all setting down at the toddler tables for our next meal. 

Our goal is learning through play in the toddler classroom. We incorporate group play as well as individualized play where we work with the parents to make sure we are coordinating well with their efforts and practices at home. 

TWO-YEAR OLDS

Two year old’s are becoming independent at this stage and we are excited to watch them grow!  We collaborate with families to individualize child needs such as potty-training and other self-help skills. Expressive language becomes more apparent for this group as teachers continue to encourage verbal skills.

Continued Development

Preparing children for our preschool program, the two year old’s will begin experiencing a much more structured day.  

Our two year old’s are becoming very independent and love learning, as they are beginning to recognize colors, shapes and letters. Every activity is a learning experience from art to group time. Activities may be a little messy, but we can guarantee that they are having fun! This classroom incorporates lots of sensory learning, art and singing throughout the day.
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Teachers in the two year old classroom pay close attention to controlling the environment by keeping voices soft, keeping anxiety levels low.  

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

As a child begins preschool, this is the introduction to a more structured learning environment. A heavy focus will be placed on academic small groups, fine motor skills, and social interaction.

We utilize the project approach and child-led topics as we shift our focus to a more structured setting. We are going to be noticing the feelings and emotions of ourselves as well as others. All of these things work together to facilitate school readiness.

Child-Led Learning Approach

In the preschool room we practice a lot of child-led learning, following what naturally interests the children each day. As they begin to express interest in different things, we will begin to incorporate those topics into our group time and arts and crafts. 

We practice daily journaling so the children are able to write about what they are interested in, current feelings and thoughts for the day. Character building is important for this age group as well. We learn more about manners, how to be polite and how to talk to your friends.

Preschoolers are very interested in nature so we work hard to bring that inside the classroom. We spend time learning about sticks, leaves, plants and bugs.