In the realm of early childhood education, choosing the right preschool for your child is a crucial decision that lays the foundation for their academic and social development. Private preschools, in particular, offer a unique and tailored curriculum that sets them apart from their public counterparts. Understanding what to expect from a private preschool curriculum and why it matters can significantly influence the early learning journey of your child.

Private preschools typically prioritize a holistic approach to education, focusing not only on academic achievements but also on the social, emotional, and physical well-being of each child. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to cater to the individual needs and learning styles of young learners, fostering a love for learning from an early age.

One distinguishing feature of private preschools is the emphasis on smaller class sizes. With fewer students in a classroom, teachers can provide more personalized attention to each child, addressing their specific strengths and areas that may need additional support. This intimate setting allows for a more interactive and engaging learning experience, facilitating better teacher-student relationships.

The curriculum in private preschools often integrates a variety of educational philosophies, with some schools adopting the Reggio Emilia approach. This approach is child-centered, encouraging self-directed exploration and creativity. The use of open-ended materials and the incorporation of the child’s interests into the curriculum contribute to a more dynamic and personalized learning environment.

Language development is a key focus in International schools in Austin recognizing its vital role in cognitive growth. Activities such as storytelling, role-playing, and group discussions are incorporated to enhance language skills. Additionally, exposure to a second language may be introduced at an early age, promoting linguistic diversity and cognitive flexibility.

The physical development of children is also a significant aspect of private preschool curricula. Outdoor play, fine and gross motor skill activities, and age-appropriate exercise contribute to the overall well-being of the child. This holistic approach ensures that each child’s development is nurtured comprehensively.

Why It Matters: The Long-Term Impact

The importance of a quality preschool education, especially in a private setting, cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programs exhibit better academic performance, higher graduation rates, and increased social and emotional intelligence. Investing in a private preschool education can have a lasting impact on a child’s cognitive and emotional development, setting the stage for success in their academic journey and beyond.

Contact Us

To explore the enriching world of private preschool education, visit Nido Verde Di Reggio Emilia and discover how your child can thrive in a supportive and engaging learning environment. Secure your child’s future with a private preschool that understands the significance of individualized education and holistic development. Call us at +1-512-202-8295.

The affective filter hypothesis states that language cannot be learned if the learner is impeding the process. In other words, a learner may be mentally prepared to learn or may be impeding the learning process in some way. A learner can have a high or low affective filter: the higher the filter, the less likely language schools Austin and you will occur; the lower the filter, the more likely language learning will occur.

What Is The Affective Filter?

The “affective filter” is a second language acquisition theoretical construct that attempts to explain the emotional variables associated with second language acquisition success or failure. The affective filter is an invisible psychological filter that can either help or hinder second language production.

What Causes a High Affective Filter?

Stress and discomfort have a negative impact on learning. A learner must feel safe and comfortable in the learning environment in order to learn effectively. During the learning process, the learner should not feel stressed or anxious. Furthermore, the learner should be motivated to participate in learning activities without fear of making mistakes.

Consider this: the times when you are able to study the most diligently are most likely times when you are most at ease and safe. You are at ease and not under any duress. You are both mentally and physically at ease.

Symptoms of a High Affective Filter

As a teacher or parent wishing to teach your child a second language, it is critical to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a high affective filter.

Understanding some common behaviors of students with a high affective filter allows us to identify them more quickly at home or in the classroom and adapt our teaching and learning environment to lower the affective filter.

Here we have mentioned the four emotional states that raise the affective filter and thus impair second language acquisition:

• Anxiety
• a lack of motivation
• Lack of self-assurance
• Negative mindset

Let’s look at how some of these factors manifest themselves in terms of behavior.

1. Behaving Bored

Is the child staring off into the distance? Yawning? Fidgeting? All of these are symptoms of boredom and a high affective filter.

When a child loses interest in a lesson and becomes distracted, we often refer to them as ‘disruptive’ or ‘disengaged’. As if to imply that the student is the problem here or you can also learn more about the International schools in Austin.

Of course, there are instances of disruptive student behavior, which frequently affects classrooms on a larger, school-wide scale.

2. Anxiety

Another emotion that can cause a high affective filter and impede language learning is anxiety.

Anxiety in a language learning setting can arise from a variety of sources, but in a classroom, it is frequently caused by a sense of intimidation. And that fear is usually triggered by the pressure to produce original output – that is, to speak in the foreign language!

I believe we can all recall a time when we were intimidated by the language learning process!

In the early stages of second language learning, it is common for students to stumble and make numerous errors.

3. Deflated Body Language Or Tone

A negative tone or negative body language are usually telltale signs that the child’s Affective Filter is activated and they are either bored, anxious, unmotivated, or lacking in self-confidence about the language learning that is expected in class.

For fear of being called upon and put on the spot, these students frequently avoid making eye contact. They try to blend in or stare off into space. Or they could be legitimately zoning out and not truly present.

Read more about: Daycare or School: Three Differences That Really Matter For Your Child

4. Trouble Following Instruction

If your second language learners are unable to follow instructions in the target language, it could be due to an increase in their affective filter.

Try re-evaluating your instructions; are they too complicated for their language/developmental level? Is it necessary to divide the instructions into more specific multi-step instructions? Also, reconsider whether the instructions are actually understandable – perhaps you need to act or draw them out step by step?

Finally, but most importantly, assess the child’s inner emotional landscape: is there boredom, stress, anxiety, or a lack of motivation?

Lowering The Affective Filter

So, how do we foster a learning environment in which students’ affective filters are low?

The affective filter theory suggests that students will thrive in language learning when they feel safe and supported.

Of course, physical safety is important when learning anything, but here we are referring to the emotional safety that facilitates language acquisition.

A child is more open to language input if they are at ease in their learning environment.

At Nido Verde Di Reggio Emilia, we believe in learning through play in a loving and respectful environment. We provide a Spanish speaking environment in which children can explore. For more details, you can call us at +1-512-202-8295 or email us at [email protected]. 

The little preschoolers are anxious these days, being confined to their limited spaces because of the raging pandemic. It also gets difficult for the working parents to look after their children all the time. Children might often go wild in such circumstances when they don’t get to indulge in fun activities. But now after the vaccine roll out, things have started turning normal. The private schools in Austin have started to reopen for higher grade students, but what about our preschoolers? There are ample fun activities that your little ones can easily be engaged in. these activities will be very much similar to all those being conducted in any of the best International schools in Austin. All the supplies needed for the activities would also be easily available within the house or at any general store.

Also Read: Tips for Choosing the Best International schools in Austin

Easy preschool activities
1) Paper Towel Drip Painting

for children to spend a good time. All you neany light-colored paper towel, little mugs, and a drip dropper. The little ones can use their imaginations to draw a variety of designs using the drip method and they will also have a chance to learn cooperation and teamwork if engaging in the activity with their siblings. Let them draw different color theories and have a lot of fun.

2) Stretchy Oobleck
Children do love to create a mess. They love to get themselves dirty while playing. The stretchy oobleck is like a wish come true for the little ones. This oobleck is like a slime, which has got a pretty decent smell. It cleans up pretty easily when cleaned with water. So let the little ones get dirty and let them have some quality time with their friends.

3) Unicorn Fizz
Does your child love to engage in science experiments? Asking questions all the time, and willing to add and draw stuff from those science beakers. Well, this activity is exactly what you were looking for. The activity requires some fine motor skills while preparing little ones for the scientific preschool activities complemented with a lot of fun.

4) Best Play Dough Recipe
This is a very exciting activity that lets your children make their favorite sci-fi characters or other possible cartoon heroes. The dough is pretty soft and perfect for those little hands. Once your child makes something he can easily preserve it for long. The dough won’t change the texture.

5) Calm Down Bottles
Easy make calm down bottles are good fun. All you need is a small bottle, metal clips, rubber bands, a magnet, and some water. The calm bottles are a good way to give some essential lessons to your children. They can learn how to regroup when in trouble and you won’t fall like those metal clips won’t as the magnet is near. Also how to remain calm even at difficult times, the same way as those rubber bands inside which remain calm even after you storm the water.

6) Ice Cube Painting
A fun activity that will help your children learn the different color variations by mixing the different shades. It helps them make a new color out of them. Moreover, children just love to be near the ice, so it’s a kind of win-win situation for them.

7) Pet Rocks
A simple yet fun activity that lets the little ones learn some fine control of muscles, their eye and hand coordination, ability to make decisions, problem-solving ability, and elaborating creativity. All it needs are the pieces of rock, paint, and brushes, and little beans and sparkle stuff.

8) Color Theory Finger Painting

Again, an activity that lets the little ones get dirty while learning a lesson. It could rather be referred to as a partial science, artistic and sensory project. It’s all fun.

9) Picasso Shape Art Project
These projects need a little precession and patience to get into and complete. Though your children want to mess up all the time but putting these projects in front of them will increase their imagination power and creativity. Moreover, they might be able to make you proud by creating some masterpieces at times.

Nido Verde Di Reggio Emilia is one of the best International schools in Austin. They provide all above Preschool Activities which are fun and best for a positive upbringing of your child. It helps them in the various spheres and let them grow with complete development.

Also Read:

• What Is Reggio Emilia? Your Guide to This Child-Driven Approach
• 10 Eco Friendly Activities for Primary School Kids