Preschool Program
3 - 4 Years
The Preschool years are an exciting time at IMA! At age 3, we will work with you to select from one of the many targeted language models we offer across our three campuses. Based on your child’s needs and your family’s long-term plans for global language acquisition, parents can choose from our full immersion or bilingual learning programs.
Mornings encompass monthly, hands on, theme-based engagements that are multidisciplinary with exposure to Language Arts and Mathematics milestones. In addition, the children develop conceptual understanding of major social studies and science themes related to the monthly unit of inquiry.
Preschool children focus on confidence within a larger community of friends, navigating learning targets associated with social and emotional goals in addition to foundational academic skills. Preschoolers transition into the afternoon nap room each day to enjoy a time of rest and rejuvenation!
Preschool Daily Schedule
9 AM TO 11:30 AM
Morning Greeting & Calendar Circle
Students are introduced to age-appropriate social emotional learning topics. Calendar work seamlessly integrates math (counting, sequencing, patterns), as well as an introduction to seasons, global holidays, and observations about the weather.
Independent & Group Lessons
Our preschool-age students practice work skill development—how to be in community, navigate the classroom, engage in daily routines, work with others, problem-solve and self-regulate. Targeted work in language arts, math, science and social studies begins. Focused practice in fine motor development and pincer grasp provides a foundation for pre-writing.
Bilingual & Language Immersion Study
Depending on the language model chosen, classes/circle time/activities conducted in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
Multidisciplinary Themed Units
Unit-of-the-Month leads students to age-appropriate academic milestones with a focus on inquiry-based/project-based learning to build conceptual understanding. Curriculum begins with a personal (all about me) perspective and broadens to a universal
understanding (my family, community, state, country, world, solar system).
12:30 PM
Lunch and Morning/Afternoon Snacks
All meals and snacks are served family-style. Teachers use the time to encourage food exploration and guide students in skills like using utensils and practicing table manners.
Early Language Acquisition
Our preschool classrooms use traditional poems, rhymes, songs and movement to promote oral fluency and tone and pronunciation in target language(s). Students also discuss global holidays and cultural celebrations, practice theme-based vocabulary development and application, begin learning simple phrases sentences.
Naps
IMA provides individual cots for children to rest on, and offers a convenient all-in-one pillow and sleeping sack for parent purchase. Children sleep according to their individual needs. Those who've transitioned away from a daily nap observe a short period of rest, then transition to a work room to engage in quiet independent work.
3:00 TO 5:30 PM
End of Day Circle & Dismissal
End-of-day routines provide children with even more opportunity to learn self direction through routine and connect with peers.
Extended Day Childcare
At IMA, the learning doesn't end with the school day! Our Extended Day program offers a continuation of language immersion practice in target languages, outdoor play time, guided circle and story time, free play, and music and movement engagements.
Outdoor Play
Preschool students spend a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors each morning, with additional time outside in the aftemoon.
Successful Introduction of English Phonetics
Preschool instructors focus on providing students with a solid foundation in English phonics to prepare young learners for reading and writing in other language(s) without confusion.