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WELCOME!

Walk in and see a world of wonder.

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WELCOME!

Walk in and see a world of wonder.

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WELCOME!

Walk in and see a world of wonder.

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Hear the singing of a self-composed lullaby from a 3 year old as another little friend plays a Chilean cactus rainstick. Together, they lull a baby to sleep.

Watch a child instinctively calm down and lay on the floor, as others sway to the spare, gentle, and dreamy piano music of Satie. 

Admire a community collage rendered by imaginative toddlers and proudly displayed on our art wall. 

See children —carrying with them a throng of questions— march off to the park to explore nature, learn science as they observe ants in their dwelling.

Partake in the performance of a child dancing, drawn to the beautiful and grandiose sentiments of Rachmaninoff’s music.

Lend an ear to the children’s imagined story about Ben, an evil-guy-turned-protagonist, who learned how to love by caring for a den of lost baby snakes. 

The mood of a rainy morning is not quite solemn as we read Prelutsky’s hilariously witty “It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles!” 

 

"There are countless more adventures to be sought, knowledge to be seized,  and stories to be told.  We are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with information.  We are brimming with ideas and possibilities, and we have a 'hundred languages' to express them!" 

-Children at Piccolo Nido Preschool

 

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We believe that the best place for a young child to learn and thrive is in a warm, familiar, natural environment — a home!  We are a home based preschool licensed by California Childcare Licensing.

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Program Benefits

Reggio Emilia inspired

An exemplary model in childhood education, the Reggio Emilia approach focuses on the child as an active and competent participant in his or her own learning. Teachers at Piccolo Nido are active co-learners who listen and observe what interests children. We use creative arts as a medium to help children express their ideas or develop child-initiated projects. This fosters teamwork, creativity, and in-depth study of children's own ideas and interests.

Music Curriculum

Our research-based music program is inspired by the teachings of Kodaly, Orff, and Dalcroze. Our daily classes establish a foundation for music learning through singing, listening, movement and dance, sensory games, story telling, drama and speech, and instrumental playing. Using fun and age-appropriate approach - a child experiences musical elements such as pulse, meter, rhythm, phrasing, pitch exploration, and form. We utilize a rich repertoire of traditional, folk literature, and contemporary materials.

There is scientific evidence that music training accelerates brain development and impacts the cognitive and socio-emotional development of children. Depending on a child’s readiness— we introduce the basics of piano playing to children 4-5 years old. Exciting benefits of piano playing include development of a child’s ability to memorize, coordinate fine motor muscles, to have sensitivity to patterns and musical expression, and develop focus and self confidence.

Visual Arts

Visual arts allow children to express their thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to put in words. It is an excellent way to challenge a child's ability to think and create. Visual expression is an important step to personal development and learning. It builds confidence. At Piccolo, preschool children explore various safe, open-ended materials like clay, paint, paper, found objects, home made materials, natural objects. Guided by our talented teachers, children discover visual arts in its bi-dimensional and 3D forms. Visual art is such an amazing medium for children's communication, self-expression, and self-awareness.

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are smoothly combined in our child-centered approach to learning. Teachers introduce materials referred to as provocations to stimulate children’s curiosity and inspire them to think and explore. Children ask questions, plan and investigate, make observations, predict, and express their ideas.

Developmental Skills

Our child-centered program is dedicated to supporting the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of young children. Children build skills very quickly in their first five years of life. At three years old, a toddler’s brain it has reached 85 percent of an adult brain! We make an effort to support their growing skills. Take for example social skills. We believe that Music, a daily part of our program, is a tool that promotes social skills and self-esteem. In our music class, children participating in singing games builds connection and social interaction. We read books and incorporate creative activities that encourage character development and self-regulation skills. They learn to listen, take turns, respect, cooperate, and make decisions.

Early Literacy

Preschool is a critical time for language development. Piccolo Nido offers activities that promote children's oral and written language and strategies that pave the way for reading acquisition. Research confirms that reading is a strong predictor of a child's later academic success. We utilize developmentally appropriate, interactive, fun and easy phonics program. We have games and activities that enhance a child's language skills. We have daily read-aloud times where kids are exposed to age-appropriate materials. As children paint, mold clay, and engage in creative art activities - they develop fine motor muscles lay the foundation for writing.

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