Zoom’s method encourages children to learn at their own pace and in their own personal style by incorporating activities that make children feel safe and eager to learn. We employ a variety of methods to teach language and other skills critical to young children’s development.
At its core, Zoom promotes respect in every activity. Our method was developed by our instructors who are dedicated to early education and believe in the benefits of multilingualism. Key classroom activities that make up our program are as follows:
ART PROJECTS
Children learn many skills while completing art projects, as they reinforce and expand upon information learned in other contexts. Art projects help develop a child's motor skills (fine motor skills are a precursor to writing) and build self-esteem. It's an opportunity to say "I can do it!”
Social skills are also gained during art time, including cooperation, positive group dynamics and language. Children talk amongst themselves about the mechanics of an art project, discussing its function and asking questions about concepts or directions.
MUSIC AND CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Music helps children connect the outer world of movement and sound with the inner world of feelings and observations. Children learn music the same way they learn language, by listening and imitating.
Children enjoy listening to music and making their own. Whether it's a group sing-along, marching in a percussion band, playing a triangle, or making up new lyrics to old favorite tunes, music is a universal language.
Creative movement, the act of moving one’s body through space in time with music, taps into a child's imagination and artistic side. We encourage cross-lateral movement (right arm/left leg and vice versa) in our students’ dances and exercises, which can aid in a child's later success in reading and writing.
CREATIVE PLAY AND DRAMA
Dramatic play (where children create their own stories) helps children develop language, concentration, thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills. It also encourages memory development, flexibility and self-control.
Playing make-believe enables children to bring their complicated, grown-up world down to a more comfortable size. Research has shown that children who are active in pretend play are usually more joyful and cooperative, more willing to share and take turns, and have larger vocabularies than children who participate less in pretend play.
To encourage dramatic play, Zoom instructors use activities such as hand puppets (promote fine-motor skills, coordination and language development), felt boards and interactive book materials.
ORAL AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE EXERCISES
In addition to the activities noted above, Zoom instructors encourage basic language development by using flashcard activities (builds vocabulary, sound recognition, and memorization skills) circle time and storytelling (to provide context for new vocabulary words and foster respect for other cultures).
Initially, children begin to recognize simple sounds in Spanish. As their understanding of the language progresses, they increase their vocabulary and begin to speak more clearly. Finally, they begin to attain comprehension of more complex ideas and more confidently express their ideas, feelings, needs and thoughts. Interacting with others allows children to build these skills as they progress in their knowledge of the language.
