French American School Of Puget Sound Cycle 1 The Leader in Harmonized Bilingual Education in the Pacific Northwest

Cycle 1: Tiny YPK, YPK, PK & K

In our Maternelle (Tiny YPK*, YPK and PK) and Kindergarten classes, children learn through play and open-ended activities, as well as structured learning time. The structure of the program is based on five developmental areas: 1) Living in Society; 2) Language; 3) Exploring the World (Math and Science); 4) Observing, Feeling, Imagining & Creating; and 5) Acting, Expressing & Understanding Through Our Bodies

*Tiny YPK students do not have to be potty trained to attend this class.

Our Philosophy

Our goal is to guide our students in their development of motor, artistic, social, and language skills.

Building on these fundamentals, the elementary program provides a rigorous academic foundation in both English and French. The curriculum throughout the Lower School is child-centered and developmentally sequenced, and engages students in learning in an exciting and challenging manner.

It provides children with an education that meets their physiological, emotional, and intellectual needs. The day and the environment are carefully thought, out and various activities are planned with the attention span and developmental needs of the children in mind. French is the main language of instruction; however, the program is covered by both English and French teachers and enables the children to feel comfortable beginning their bilingual education.

Learning to be part of a community, focusing on tasks, and simply enjoying school are important components of this program. As children progress through Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten, they become increasingly comfortable in their bilingual world. In addition to core literacy and math skills, children are exposed to art, music, and science, as well as holidays and traditions unique to both French and American cultures. Upon the completion of Kindergarten, students are well-prepared to enter our Elementary School with the skills necessary for reading, written expression, and mathematics in both French and English. Students enter our elementary program ready to learn with a strong understanding of fundamental academics, as well as independence and the maturity needed for success in Grade 1.

Five Learning Areas

LANGUAGE is fundamental for success in both school and life, touching all areas of learning. Students learn to use accurate, respectful, and kind language to describe their emotions and connect with peers. Phonics-based games help children distinguish between French and English = sounds. Reading and writing are introduced as a way to express ideas and tell stories. The introduction to sign language supports comprehension and language expression.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY promotes children's motor, sensory, intellectual, social, and emotional development. It stimulates imagination, encourages skill refinement, and fosters balance and coordination. It also plays a key role in socialization by requiring cooperation and relationship-building. The joy of movement boosts self-esteem and encourages children to respect their bodies, regardless of performance.

STRUCTURED THINKING leads to number sense acquisition, exploration, visualizing numbers in various contexts, and connecting them in ways that are not limited by formal written methods. In our ecole maternelle, we use manipulatives to offer a deeper conceptual look at what numbers represent (such as quantities, rank/position, and symbols). These skills directly relate to a child's overall success in math.

CREATIVE PRACTICE in the visual and performing arts is the cornerstone of the ecole maternelle. The focus is on the exploration of materials, techniques, emotional expression, and identity development. The artistic modalities include painting, sculpture, and drawing, as well as photography, film, and graphic arts. Students also learn to express themselves through creative movement and acting. In music, they sing and play instruments.

EXPLORATION classes at the ecole maternelle are designed to nurture young children's curiosity. Through engaging activities, they begin to look beyond their own perspective and develop an understanding of how others see the world. This is achieved through playful learning that encourages observation, guesswork, identification, and classification. Students also begin to understand what distinguishes living from non-living matter.

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Outdoor play ensures children get ample physical activity and opportunities to develop fundamental social attributes such as respect, compassion, and conflict resolution.