Our Approach -
We take a whole-child approach at Wee Prep. This means that although the classes may be designed specifically to teach reading, writing, math, or Mandarin, they will will also enhance your child's development in areas such as social/emotional, physical, and language. Students will be encouraged to be active learners and problem solvers as they process new concepts and use new skills
. Play is recognized as vital for young children, therefore all lessons and activities will engage every learner through music, movement, art, games, and hands-on activities. At Wee Prep students are provided with a safe and nurturing environment to grow and learn. We believe that all children learn best when they are provided with a consistent routine and structure. To provide this, all classes will follow a similar schedule:
Arrival/Transition
Learning centers (time for teacher to speak to each student and observe child's skills while they work)
Circle time (activities such as songs, lessons, games and a-louds)
Small group activities that supplement the lesson of the day
Individualize instruction (allows teacher to scaffold a child's learning individually)
Wrap up meeting (recap of lessons learned, songs, read-aloud, share)
Good byes
Teachers at Wee Prep are keen observers with a thorough understanding of the skills needed for you child to make progress. Instruction will include individual, as well as small group work, allowing the teacher to observe your child's skills and understanding of concepts. Knowing your child's developmental level allows instruction to be tailored to your child's zone of proximal development. The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is a concept created by Leo Vygotsky in the 20th century, which indicates the range between what a child can do independently and what he or she can do with assistance from an adult. Knowing what your child is ready to learn and aiming the instruction at your child's ZPD allows for just the right amount of scaffolding (guidance/coaching from a teacher) so your child learns the skill, feeling successful and ready to move on to the next one. Our approach will instill a love for learning that will last your child a lifetime! The Founder -
Grace Yang has been a teacher in New York City for over 10 years. With a M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and professionally certified by the Department of Education, she has worked with children from birth to 3rd grade. For six years she worked as a kindergarten teacher and is currently a 2nd-3rd grade teacher at a progressive private school in Manhattan. Grace has worked as a camp counselor for 2-5 year olds at St. Bart's Summer Camp for five summers. She is also a Sunday school teacher of the preschool program at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on the East Side. She tutors students in ERB and GT prep as well as in Mandarin. She has a real passion for teaching toddlers as well as preschoolers. She believes that young children are naturally curious and always ready to learn. Professional Certifications & Development:
University of the State of New York Education Department Public School Teacher Certificate – Professional Fountas and Pinnell: Leveled Literacy Intervention: Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2), and Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
LAST, ATS-W, CST-Multi-subjects, and CST-Students with Disabilities
Professional Development Certificate at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project’s Summer Institute 2007
Curricula Mastery:
PAF (Preventative Academic Failure): A Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Based Reading Program
Edmark Reading Program
Saxon Math Curriculum
Investigation Math Curriculum
Stern Math
