Our Bilingual French/English Preschool Curriculum
Inspired by the French école maternelle
We draw inspiration from the French école maternelle program, which outlines milestones each child should reach as they progress on their journey of learning how to be a student, before they reach the Elementary School grade levels. Our role is to help your child learn to be a student. This is accomplished by focusing on five distinct domains:
Acquire language and discover writing
Become a student
Move and communicate with one’s body
Discover the world
Perceive, feel, imagine, create
Step by step, class by class
Public school education in France begins at age 3 in the Petite Section and continues through the Moyenne Section and Grande Section. We have expanded on this system to welcome children as young as 18 months of age through our Crèche and Très Petite Section.
Crèche
Nursery
Très Petite Section
Very Small Section
Petite Section
Pre-K 3
Moyenne Section
Pre-K 4
Grande Section
Kindergarten
How we teach
Language at the core
The emphasis of our program is on the acquisition and development of language, the discovery of writing and numbers, and learning to live together. Arts projects are also in the spotlight and are mainly used as tools for language development.
Hands-on, in small groups
We focus on pragmatic, hands-on activities that children do together in small groups, using critical and creative thinking to learn from others and especially from themselves.
From speaking to writing
From Petite Section (Pre-K 3) through Grande Section (Kindergarten), children dictate brief texts to their teacher to see the link between oral and written communication. They build strong oral foundations in French, positive relationships with others, and responsibility for their own learning.
Our philosophy
Learning French naturally
Our teachers and staff don’t instruct the children in how to speak French. Rather, we speak French to them throughout the day, so they learn the language as they would in a French-speaking region or family.
Active teaching
Instructors organize activities designed to develop each child’s potential in social communication and in emotional, physical and intellectual development, using a variety of educational materials and toys adapted to the children’s ages and interests. Each class has its own educational program.
Respect of each child’s rhythm
Children play, learn and grow in a warm environment. Each child learns at his or her own pace, never forced but always encouraged. La Maternelle’s goal is the welfare and happiness of the children.
A privileged parent-teacher relationship
Parents are encouraged to meet instructors regularly and are welcome to talk with instructors and other parents during Greeting Time, a special moment of exchange. Parents are part of La Maternelle’s life.
