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school
life
Pre-Primary
Program
The Suzuki Pre-Primary Program is designed for
children who are two and three years old.
Children at this age are leaving behind the
early stages of pure discovery and exploration
and are ready for periods of more formal
instruction. This second growth period in a
child’s life is a time of immense activity and
discovery as the child investigates his world
and, most importantly, learns to form his own
opinions about it.
Interactive Classrooms:
At this age, children learn best when absorbing
knowledge through all five senses. We recognize
each child’s need for autonomy during this
unique period and allow for long periods of
discussion and experimentation so that she can
formulate a hypothesis, test it repeatedly and
arrive at a logical conclusion. These children
are passionate about voicing their opinion in
matters that pertain to them. The classroom is
designed so that children can freely explore
their materials, choose them and then replace
them in an ordered fashion. Consistency is very
important
as
they are testing their world.

Our Curriculum and Materials:
The children are now ready for deeper
experiences in math and literacy, building upon
concepts introduced in infancy. The Suzuki
School has developed a curriculum that draws
from more than three decades of experience with
our students, as well as from the best practices
and materials available in Early Childhood
Education. We do not adhere to one specific
approach or doctrine, but rather incorporate
those -- whether developed internally or from
other sources — that allow us to best meet the
needs of the students.
A phonetic approach to language is taught
through key objects that reinforce the initial
sounds of each alphabet letter – these are
introduced in the order of the frequency heard
in the English language. Math and sensorial
concepts are developed with materials designed
to compare, contrast and grade. Social studies
and science lessons are project-based and are
often chosen based on the interest and input of
the children.
Pre-Primary classrooms are equipped with a wide
array of materials to refine motor development
in a practical life setting. This refinement is
necessary in the proper development of the hand
and arm muscles that facilitate writing.
Rotation Routines:
Morning lessons follow a block schedule so that
the presentation of and practice with the
materials can be completed leisurely and without
interruption. The children are placed in
multi-ability groups and rotate every day in
language, math/sensorial and practical life/art
areas for the morning lesson block. This three
day rotation allows the children to work in
succession with all the classroom teachers in
the areas of math/sensorial, language, fine
motor, art, practical life and social
studies/science.

Foreign Language:
Native French or Spanish speakers teach
preprimary children French or Spanish twice a
week using a language immersion curriculum.
These programs are taught during the school year
and during the summer program.
Enrichment:
Our regular curriculum is supplemented by
special visitors, including storytellers,
musicians, magicians and nature specialists.
Students participate in small group music
instruction once a week. They also have the
opportunity to participate in optional
enrichment activities such as a sports movement
class and music readiness.
Toilet training
usually begins in preprimary. This milestone
skill is taught as a child demonstrates signs of
readiness. It is important that parents
recognize that this is a process and each child
masters this skill when she is ready, whether in
a few days or in a few months. The teachers work
with both student and parent to teach the proper
skills.
Communication:
At Suzuki, we recognize the parent as the
child’s first and best teacher. To foster our
partnership, we communicate with parents daily
so that you are informed of your child’s
progress and of his or her day. Teachers in
Pre-Primary classrooms encourage early morning
and late afternoon conversations with the
parents; supplemental means of communication
include the daily whiteboard information,
classroom videos looped on a flat screen monitor
in the lobby and a weekly newsletter.
Communication is an integral part of the Suzuki
program and ties the efforts of school and home
together.
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