Spanish Immersion Playschool

Manzanitas

Growing Global Citizens

Manzanitas Spanish Immersion Playschool is an innovative, high-quality, early education program for infants, toddlers, preschool, & kindergarten.

We are located in Ann Arbor and offer full-time and part-time availability.

Our Unique Program Offers:

A baby with dark brown hair and eyes and medium skin tone kneels on a stump outside, while a teacher with medium skin tones hand is shown on the baby's back, while another child with blonde hair and light skin tone is seen hugging the teacher.

Child-led, play-based curriculum based in the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

  • Full immersion Spanish in a supportive environment (No previous experience necessary!)

  • A multicultural and inclusive educational environment

  • Native and fluent Spanish speaking teachers

  • Art, music, dramatic play, and lots of outdoor exploration​

  • Flexible schedules from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm daily

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Manzanitas FAQS

  • Research has shown that young children have a unique ability to absorb a foreign language naturally. Experts estimate that by age 8-12, humans already lose the ability to hear and say new sounds. Young brains are hard wired to acquire language. Taking advantage of the window of opportunity that exists between birth and adolescence allows a child to optimize his or her learning potential, and speak the second language with a native accent. In addition, studies show that young children who learn a second language enjoy many additional cognitive benefits, such as enhanced problem-solving skills, enhanced spatial relation skills, and heightened creativity. When children enjoy their environment and feel safe, they absorb their surroundings and learn without even realizing it.

  • The class is complete immersion, which means no English will be spoken except in emergency situations. Communication with parents will generally be in English. Once the children enter the classroom, they are immersed in (surrounded by) the Spanish language.

  • Young children learning a second language will learn Spanish the same way they learned their first language. The teacher will use hand and body cues, stories, inflection, facial signals, songs, games, and fun to make clear what is being conveyed. This way of teaching is known as Total Physical Response (TPR), and it is very successful in communicating in situations where the language is not understood. Children learn to explore and examine their surroundings and environment. In a short time, they catch on to what is being communicated. Young children do not have the same inhibitions that older people tend to have while learning. They are natural mimics and have little fear in making mistakes; they absorb the second language without hesitation and much more naturally than an older child or adult might.

  • It is not necessary that parents speak Spanish. The teachers instruct your child with proper pronunciation, grammar, and accent. Of course, having reinforcement at home is always an advantage, but children with little or no reinforcement of Spanish at home are just as successful in immersion programs as those with native speakers at home. Parents often enjoy learning Spanish at the same time as their children. Most parents observe that the younger students quickly surpass adults in their learning curve.

  • It is difficult to quantify exactly how much a child will retain since each child is unique in their language development. However, studies have shown that exposure to foreign language at a young age aids in learning a second or third language at adolescence and adulthood. The familiarity with the Spanish language will also help them to "pick it up again" at a later age. Studies have shown that learning a foreign language adds additional cognitive benefits some of which include: enhanced problem-solving skills, enhanced spatial relation skills and heightened creativity.

  • Learning is an inverse function of age. The younger a child is, the faster a child will learn. This is the experience with language learning as well. Additionally, when a child builds both Spanish and English fluency they learn to speak each language with native-like pronunciation.

  • In most cases, learning another language enhances a child's English ability. Comparing and using two language systems is helpful to children's understanding and use of each. Reports have demonstrated that children who have learned a second language earn higher SAT scores.

  • There is no evidence to suggest this. A child doesn't have to be exceptional to become bilingual; as long as the child is exposed to two languages throughout early childhood, they will acquire them both.

  • Additional activities at home are not required for a child to successfully learn a second language. We can, however, advise you in this regard if you wish to enhance your child's language acquisition and experiences at home.

  • No. Studies show that exposure to a second language at an early age, enhances the part of the brain that processes language. Therefore, children are able to understand the intricate nuances of language more quickly than non-bilingual students.

  • Yes. We follow play-based preschool curriculum based on the research of the high/scope foundation. Our primary goals for children (aside from acquiring or reinforcing Spanish language) focus on social and emotional skills: self-regulation, decision-making, social participation, appropriate problem solving, making observations and hypotheses, making and following democratic rules, following teacher rules, and participation in a daily routine. In addition, teachers intentionally plan hands-on learning experiences that build pre-academic foundations in math, science, literacy, social studies, and the arts. Children exiting our program and entering kindergarten are well-equipped for kindergarten curriculum.

Manzanitas Spanish Immersion Playschool

2626 Packard St. 
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-975-9104
manzanitas@appleplayschools.org​
Director: Leticia Diaz-Gonzalez Assistant Director: Maria Eugenia Peñuelas
Apple Playschools EIN: 46-5404037

Image shows the outside of the Manzanitas building