The Language Grove Community Preschool Strives to be Bilingual Model

When Yessy Beltrán was ready to send her 2 1/2 -year old daughter, Isabel, to preschool, she toured more than a dozen schools, unable to find an environment that would satiate Isabel's curiosity while providing tools of inspiration, education and investigation. She also wanted an eco-friendly, culturally aware and bilingual curriculum, the last element of which was sorely lacking in Los Angeles specifically San Fernando Valley.

The solution? She utilized her education, previous professional experience in Early Child Development, and implementation of various educational programs - including participation in the Reggio Emilia study tour in Italy and the “World Forum in Early Childhood Education” in Belfast, Ireland - to create the foundation for what would become one of the most preeminent bilingual preschools in Southern California, The Language Grove in North Hills.

"Isabel has been my inspiration for the formation of this school from the philosophy to the design of the environment. My vision was to create a preschool that is a role model for Los Angeles in determining the direction of our Early Childhood education system," Ms. Beltrán said. "The school is initiated with a unified Spanish-language curriculum, which would give students the ability to apply their skills and development well beyond preschool and into real world experiences.

At the Language Grove, the ultimate belief is in the child’s own ability to guide their learning, and their educators aim to serve as co-learners and supporters for their curiosity and exploration. Academics are not approached from a traditional sense, but aim to create opportunities for hands on learning. “I believe in the Finnish Approach to Early Education, where young children are given the opportunity to play, explore, and manipulate materials and use all their senses to learn. In Finland, children are not pressured to read and write at such young age like we do here in the United States, but rather this is introduced at the age of 7 or 8 years old.” Said Ms. Beltrán.

Outdoor play and connection with nature is at the heart of the curriculum. The approach is one that embraces the principals of community and family, because the belief is that a strong bridge between the home and school environment leads to effective learning.

"We do not just enroll a child, we embrace the entire family and welcome participation from mom, dad, grandparents, siblings and extended relations. We feel that our unique teaching approach, which combines Spanish Immersion, a progressive philosophy, outdoor classroom, and child centered learning, is the perfect combination of philosophies to help a child flourish in their early years," Beltrán says.

Parents agree. "This preschool offers a unique learning environment for its children. It allows them to learn together and at their own pace. The school does not rely on memorization nor a traditional curriculum, it relies on experiences and collaboration between the children, which teaches them to be problem solvers, critical thinkers and negotiators," says Hilda Ayala of Granada Hills, whose daughter and son attend the school. "Our children thrived with the hands-on, project-based learning and warm, caring environment. If you're looking for an academic setting that includes worksheets and rote learning, this is not the place for you. If, however, what you seek is for your children to develop a true love of knowledge and discovery all while learning Spanish, look no further," says Annette Lassen of Van Nuys.

Per the New York Times, bilingualism is a cornerstone for children to thrive in a fast-changing world. Beyond the ability to speak two languages, bilingualism increases ability to reason, focus, and understand complex problems, making it an ideal mindset to excel in an era of disruptive transformations; additionally, it heightens their awareness of other cultures.

In an environment such as The Language Grove, children are certain to learn - language may be a focus, but real world skills and developmental advantages abound at this humble, rustic San Fernando Valley campus.

The Language Grove Community Preschool is located at 9550 Haskell Ave. North Hills, CA. 91343. For more information, email Yessy at office@mylanguagegarden.com or call 818-892-7100