Preschool
We are Huntington Park and South Los Angeles'
Catholic Dual Language Immersion Preschool!
About the Little Panthers Program |
At Saint Matthias, we value each child’s unique experience. Our preschool emphasizes a 90/10 dual language model, with 90% of the day in Spanish and 10% in English. Through interactive instruction, songs, and theme-based vocabulary, children develop bilingual communication skills, empathy, and cultural understanding to make a positive impact on the world.
We provide a nurturing, diverse environment that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Our focus is on fostering social skills, self-confidence, autonomy, and peaceful conflict resolution. We see children as capable learners and aim to create a safe, trusting space where they can explore, think critically, and thrive.
We provide a nurturing, diverse environment that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Our focus is on fostering social skills, self-confidence, autonomy, and peaceful conflict resolution. We see children as capable learners and aim to create a safe, trusting space where they can explore, think critically, and thrive.
More about Spanish Language Immersion
In our Preschool Spanish Immersion program, teachers speak exclusively in Spanish to create a true "immersion" experience. Using gestures, actions, images, and modeling- known as comprehensible input- teachers ensure students understand through context. Routines play a key role in language learning. Over time, children recognize patterns and associate phrases with actions. For example, while they may not initially understand "sentémonos en un círculo," they quickly connect it to circle time through repetition and observation. Similarly, students will learn phrases for daily routines like washing hands, eating snacks, and preparing for nap time, building their comprehension naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it too early or too late for my child to learn a new language?
- Age three is an ideal time to start learning a language.
- A child’s brain is more active at this age, making it easier to learn languages.
- The earlier they start, the more likely they are to keep the language for life.
- Language development takes time, so don’t expect immediate results.
- Some children might quickly pick up words, while others may take longer.
- On average, it takes 5 to 10 years to become fully bilingual.
- The important thing is starting early—it benefits your child in the long run.
- Talk to your child about the language they will be learning (Spanish).
- Explain that the teacher will speak only in Spanish (except in emergencies or when comforting).
- Encourage your child to believe in themselves and remind them that learning takes time.
- Suggest they pay attention to the teacher’s gestures and actions, and look to classmates for guidance.
- Read with your child and converse with them in any language to help develop their language skills.
