Our Approach
About Le Petit Méthode
Created by our Founder, Le Petit Méthode blends the best aspects of several top childcare approaches into one unique approach rooted in learning academics through play! The key tenants of Le Petit Méthode include:
Respectful, child-centered care from infancy through preschool
Safe, loving, and screen-free environments
Flexible routines that follow each child’s natural rhythms
Play-based, inquiry-driven curriculum
Integration of Reggio-Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, and RIE principles
Emphasis on natural materials and home-like classrooms
Hands-on discovery and multi-sensory learning
Social collaboration and co-learning between teachers and children
Creativity, imagination, and free play as central to development
At LPE, we strive to cultivate in every child…
Pride in their ability to complete tasks independently
Creativity in every subject matter (not just art)
Respect for self and others
Enthusiasm for learning and exploration
A sense of belonging and confidence in themselves
A passion for reading and story-telling
Confidence in public speaking
A love of nature and music
Our Approach
We focus on the ABC’s of early development:
Academics - we foster a love of learning and reading in a child-driven, teacher-facilitated curriculum inspired by nature and a healthy, green, organic lifestyle. Our play-based program shows children how fun and rewarding learning can be while preparing them for the social, emotional, academic and behavioral demands of Kindergarten.
Behavior - we believe that appropriate behavior and learning valuable social skills is a crucial part of a child’s education, and it is important to start early. Responsible behavior and good choices are modeled, recognized, and rewarded in ways that become intrinsically motivating and benefit children for the rest of their lives. We do not punish children with timeouts or utilize any punitive measures.
Creativity- creativity is a very important measure of intelligence, and innovation is regarded as one of our society’s most coveted traits (think Google or Apple!) When a child learns to think creatively, it opens up a whole world of possibilities. Children learn best through creative play, and we encourage our children to pretend and use their imaginations without hinderance from adults. (This is a mindful departure from traditional Montessori philosophy which encourages children to use items only in specific ways/uses.)
The preschool years (ages 2-5) are full of excitement and wonder. Each day is full of important times of growth and development. Instruction takes place in a flexible, play-centered and developmental environment attentive to the social and emotional stages of each child. In Preschool, the child has the added benefit of an entire year of learning through exploration and play in a language rich environment and a small group setting. Our program focuses on fine and large motor skills, social/emotional development and a love of learning in which prepares the children’s brains and bodies for the academic challenges ahead.
Our Curriculum
We offer a child-centered and developmentally appropriate play-based program for six week old through six-year-old children. We offer Spanish-language immersion in each of our classrooms, as well as music and children’s yoga instruction daily. The teachers use their own experiences, as well as the children’s interests, to adapt the curriculum to be unique to each LPE class. Play allows children to learn about the world and themselves. As children play, they learn new skills, develop coping mechanisms, test new ideas, and master their bodies. As children make choices about where to play in the classroom, they are learning a variety of skills. For example, building with blocks promotes material exploration, as well as spatial planning, symbolic representation, dramatic play, and social interactions.
In the area of art, teachers emphasize the process rather than the finished product. As children use art materials, they are planning and carrying out a task and also using symbols to represent their ideas. Every month we choose a few themes of the month for each classroom, and base our reading, exploration, activities, art, and dramatic play on that theme. Our play-based curriculum offers children many opportunities for positive interactions with other children and adults. We treat each child with respect and reinforce his/her value as an individual and as a unique member of the LPE community. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that parents should read aloud to their children starting in infancy. Research shows that children whose parents read to them get a head start on language skills and literacy.
Early exposure to language, whether through reading, talking or even singing, has a profound influence on children's learning through life, and hearing language from a TV isn't the same according to research studies. For young children, the words have to come from a real live human. Reading is a big part of our day at Le Petit Elephant Nursery and Preschool. Children are read to daily, starting in the infant nursery and all the way through our Pre-K classroom. They are also given free access to the library and reading corner throughout their day and are encouraged to “read” a book with a friend.
Book A Campus Tour!
Visit our campus, get to know our incredible teachers, and explore if Le Petit Elephant is a good fit for your child’s unique needs. We look forward to showing you our school!