JOIN OUR LITTLE SCHOOL SO YOUR CHILD CAN ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS. WE BELIEVE IN SMALL CLASS SIZE (12 KIDS PER CLASS) TO ALLOW A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT. http://www.classsizematters.org/fact-sheets-on-the- benefits-of- class-size/

WE OFFER SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS WITH BILINGUAL STAFF IN OUR CLASSES (SPANISH/MANDARIN). WE FOSTER A DIVERSE SCHOOL CULTURE TO CELEBRATE EACH STUDENTS BACKGROUND.

OUR EMPHASIS IS ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, WHICH RESEARCH SHOWS IS THE BUIDLING BLOCK FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS. http://www.casel.org/

Emilia’s Kids purpose is to develop a program that supports the learning and development of individual children. As well as promote the growth and success of the whole group participating especially for children who have special needs and children who are English language learners. As a UPK program we offer dramatic play, reading, speaking and listening, using blocks, working with computers, manipulating math objects and science materials, art, writing, movement and dance in self-directed play and structured play.

Emilia’s Kids believes in the nurturing of skills to help your child make the transition from home to preschool and prepare your child for Kindergarten. Our staff participated in the training for Emotionally Response Practice for 3 years running after training key staff at Bank Street College. Parents and teachers need to nourish emotional health at home and at school. Failure to meet the emotional needs of our children is one of the most serious and under-recognized problems facing our country. Emilia’s Kids assists parents to recognize and satisfy the critical emotional needs that all children have: to feel respected, to feel important, to feel accepted, to feel included, and to feel secure and, in the process, parents will have their own needs satisfied too.

Our students are encouraged to develop Social Emotional vocabulary, understanding and self-regulation in response to needs, feelings and events. Based on our program incorporating Emotional Response Practice our center is engaging social and emotional learning in our classrooms. Our children are learning how to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Studies have found that approximately 50 percent of kids enrolled in Social-Emotional programs had better achievement scores and almost 40 percent showed improved grade-point-averages. These programs were also linked to lowered suspension rates, increased school attendance, and reduced disciplinary problems. Each activity is geared to cover some or all domains of development and provide exposure to whole group, small group and independent learning experiences throughout the day.

As a bridge to help children deal with transition and anxiety each child is given a Bear and is given the bonding experience to assist the Bear in transitioning. The Bears become a medium for children’s emotional expression. The Bears also become a vehicle to experience their family’ stories and share them with the class as they cultivate an experience for the Bear.

A time to discuss their feelings and recap what the students learned and experienced in the day. And make decisions and plans regarding their Bears and how they will share their evenings with their families.

Quiet time to replenish their bodies and calm their minds. The educational benefits of relaxation practices are significant: Mindfulness meditation can improve focus and learning. Yoga and Breathing exercises will be incorporated throughout the week. Physical activity is incorporated daily to ensure good health and development in our inside gym or outside across the street at the Public park. We will be promoting gross motor, fine motor and spatial development with independent play and group games like Simon Says and freeze tag. And for “stressed-out” kids who have a hard time sitting still and being quiet, physical activity can also have a calming effect. Studies have found that higher levels of physical activity in children were associated with lower stress reactivity.

Emilia’s Kids believes in providing children of all skill levels access to experience their possibilities. “Our Little Scientists” will allow guided experiments for our students to experience the scientific world and their ability to ask questions and pursue the answer through a simplified scientific method. Experiments such as Color Science- Primary and Secondary colors; Coloring flowers; and all types of Chemical reactions.
“Our Little Artists” will allow our students to express themselves experiencing various and multi-modalities. Using their senses and individual skills to express and create.
“Our Little Builders” allows our students to ‘build’ from their mind and visions. It also develops teamwork skills as they learn to ‘build’ things in their mind and how cooperation allows those visions to expand and create.