Learning Through Play and Inquiry
Our approach draws from Creative Curriculum and Reggio Emilia-inspired practices, recognizing children as curious, capable learners. Teachers build on students' interests and questions to create meaningful opportunities to investigate, collaborate, create, and solve problems.
Throughout the day, children learn through hands-on experiences in areas such as blocks, art, dramatic play, sensory exploration, and the classroom library, alongside intentional small- and whole-group instruction.
Growing in Two Languages
Our PreK classrooms provide a 50/50 bilingual learning environment, supported by English-dominant and Spanish-dominant co-teachers. Children develop early literacy skills in both languages through conversation, read-alouds, phonics, writing, and other language-rich experiences.
Learning extends across content areas. Math is taught in English, with an emphasis on number sense, reasoning, and hands-on problem-solving. Science is taught in Spanish, giving children opportunities to observe, ask questions, make predictions, and explore the world around them while developing their Spanish language skills.
Developing the Whole Child
Social-emotional learning is woven throughout each school day. Teachers help children learn to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, resolve conflicts, show kindness, develop independence, and become confident members of their classroom community.
Warm, responsive relationships are central to this work. Our teachers continually reflect on their practice and create environments where children feel known, supported, challenged, and excited to learn.
Mixed-Age and Single-Age Classrooms
DC Bilingual's PreK program includes both single-age classrooms and mixed-age classrooms serving PK3 and PK4 students together. Both models provide the same high-quality bilingual learning experience and are designed to support each child's individual growth.
Our mixed-age classrooms draw inspiration from Montessori principles and create additional opportunities for children to learn from one another. Younger students benefit from observing and collaborating with older peers, while older students develop confidence and leadership by supporting younger classmates.
Across both models, teachers differentiate instruction so children can grow at their own pace, develop independence, and contribute to a caring community of learners.
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