Our Program Philosophy
Our bilingual preschool and kindergarten has a cutting-edge science-based program using music as the vector for creative development, learning about the world, language acquisition, and mathematics. This unique program prepares children from 2-6 years for entry into primary school with confidence & love of learning.
Our program incorporates philosophy and scientific information from all over the world including Maria Montessori, Regio Emilia approach, Lev Vygotsky, Célestin Freinet, Rudolf Steiner, the "Finnish Model" and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is also the fruit of thirty-years of experience and expertise in early childhood creative learning.
Five Key Learning Fields
Language
Spoken Language
Our program focuses on language mastery in the child's native tongue, as well as familiarity and ease with their second or sometimes third language.
Research today is demonstrating that musical practice in early life accelerate and consolidate literacy. The intensive music entrainment the children enjoy contributes to their phonetic and rhythmic awareness.
Beginning at age four, children have weekly fun-filled Mandarin classes.
Reading and Writing
Children begin recognizing phonemes in their first year (age 3) through song and dance. They move from simple recognition to mastery in their last year of kindergarten.
The majority of our third year students are reading simple texts and writing sentences invoking their personal experience during their last semester.
We employ writing materials both from Montessori, and the Vygotsky inspired technique of scaffolding (learning to write creatively, for personal expression).
Body and Mind
Physical development, including coordination and vestibular development are an integral part of our program. Mind and body grow together in the early years, and we carefully stimulate and monitor developmental benchmarks such as equilibrium, the ability to cross the median, posture, and coordination.
The relationship between music and movement is direct and empowering. The experience of synchronized movement has multiple and durable effects on concentration and self-regulation. This is why dance is an integral part of our program along with rhythmic entrainment.
Children have weekly specialized movement classes, including yoga, starting at age 3.
Art is Everywhere
Our entire program is based around personal and artistic expression. Children sing, dance, play musical instruments and participate in theatrical productions. We have an extensive repertoire of well-loved Operas written specifically for young children.
These fun filled works are performed for parents and loved ones, and are a source of pride for our students. Our repertoire contains « The Life and Times of William Shakespeare », The Creation of the World according to the Hindu Gods », « Three Grains of Rice », a rock opera in Mandarin...
Children learn about art from many different civilizations and periods: they paint "in the style of" embracing artists from Rubens to Warhol. They make Mondrian shoes and Kandinsky makis! Art is everywhere in their daily lives: they don't just learn about artists; they incarnate them.
The Joy of Mathematics
Our maths program employs rhythm and the sensation of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing that children experience first in their bodies. This has been seen to accelerate learning of mathematical concepts and reinforce memory.
Our program focuses on deep understanding rather than simple memorization. Learning to count is not meaningful unless the child understands the link between a number and a physical quantity.
We adhere to the Montessori system of adding and subtracting as a system that includes decimals, hundreds and even thousands, in a logical process. The Vygotsky inspired notion of « sequencing » is employed to understand time, mathematics and even language.
Children learn their multiplication tables via a rap song that involves hopping across the room. This is a concrete example of a multi-modal learning that accelerates and consolidates all forms of learning.
We Are The World!
Exploring the world is a major part of our program and it begins with exploring the more than 20 different cultural origins of our students.
Our three-year program takes the children on a virtual world tour involving music, operas, language, food and art. Understanding the world for a young child is first and foremost a sensual and emotional experience.
To help children understand history, we invite historical figures into the classroom. The children have met Gandhi, Mozart, Marie Antoinette, and Potemkine to name a few.
An Ideal preparation for elementary school
By providing such a rich and transversal learning environment, we encourage children to be curious about the world and seek out information that surrounds them. This is a life asset that will help them become successful individuals.
Our bilingual program also helps them to learn to communicate, collaborate and think critically and creatively. Our children are empowered by the learning curiosity: they are school-ready at the end of our program.
Our graduates are admitted in top schools in Paris: l’École Jeanine Manuel, l’École Alsacienne, the Lennen School, the Bilingual International School of Paris (BISP).
English Curriculum
Our program is built around English and our students achieve bilingual proficiency at the end of their schooling.
English program
French curriculum
Our program goes above and beyond the official French curriculum on every learning field.
French program
Music education
L'Ecole Koenig opens and nurtures the well of creativity present in every child through music and arts.
Music education
Frequently Asked Questions
Read moreDoes the Preschool apply the Montessori Method?
Although some of our teachers may be trained Montessori Teachers, we no longer follow the Montessori Method.
Is the Preschool a prep school for l'�cole Jeannine Manuel?
No. Although we have had regularly during the past years students who were admitted at l'EJM, our program is neither designed nor aimed at preparing students to this particular school.
My child is not potty-trained, can he be admitted at the Dupleix or Fondary Campuses?
No. If your child is not potty-trained at his first day at school, the Letellier Campus is the place to be. In the other Campuses, we do not have the physical and human infrastructure to receive children who are not potty-trained.
Will my child learn how to read and write?
Yes, all children leave the Preschool having above average reading and writing skills.