French Preschool Programs in Manhattan, NYC

FIAF Preschool, Manhattan:
Conveniently located in Manhattan on East 60th Street between Madison Avenue & Lexington Avenue, FIAF Preschool (French Institute Alliance Française) offers a comprehensive program for 3 and 4 year olds that combines the best of French and American teaching methods within a rich multicultural environment. All instruction is in French, as we want to give your child a strong base in the French language. Our Preschool is open both to French-speaking and non French-speaking children.

French-Speaking Preschool Programs for Children Ages 3-4:
Children enjoy a playful, vibrant atmosphere and environment in an aesthetically pleasing building. They have exclusive access to FIAF’s thriving cultural programs tailor-made for them. Daily activities include greetings, academic & arts & crafts activities, a healthy snack by the Preschool, recreation, and a story & relaxation time. Children have exclusive access to library programs & cultural events specifically tailored to their skill level, age & curriculum 

Junior Preschool Classes (Age 3)
- Monday-Friday: 8:30am to 11:30am      

Senior Preschool Classes (Age 4)
- Monday-Friday: 1pm to 4pm     

Our goal is to ensure that your child receives the best education possible so that he or she can continue on to a top French, American, bilingual, or international school. FIAF combines the very best of French and American educational programs to present you with its approach to teaching.

Our programs draw on a mix of revered educational philosophies including:

- Jean Piaget’s constructivist theory explores the link between ideas and experiences

- Celestin Freinet’s theory of free expression emphasizes interactive, cooperative, and inquiry-based learning

- Maria Montessori’s self-directed learning integrates the multi-sensory approach to nurture the children’s creativity and greatly improves audio, visual and kinesthetic memory

- The multimodal approach developed in light of recent research in children’s cognitive development based on the works of Doctor James J. Asher (Total Physical Response, reedited in 2000) and those of Howard Gardner (Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, 1993)

Highly-Trained Teachers:
FIAF’s highly-trained teachers use these proven philosophical approaches to construct engaging daily activities that contribute to a child’s growth, confidence, and self-awareness. The areas of study are the same in both Junior and Senior Preschool Classes, but activities and projects evolve in accordance with the children’s emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical development.

Socialization and Interpersonal Skills:
Children learn to work in a group setting and develop social skills, including respect, patience, and independence. Emphasis will be placed on family structures and traditions. Throughout the year, children will be encouraged to respect themselves and their community.

Language Arts:
Children will learn to express themselves in groups, verbalize their feelings, ask questions, and use progressively more complex sentences. They will also learn about books, build their vocabulary, learn about various alphabets, and take their first steps toward writing. While teaching is conducted exclusively in French to fully immerse the children in the language, they are also introduced to other languages and cultures in order to enhance their inter-cultural awareness.

Mathematics & Sciences:
Children will learn numbers, counting, matching, classification, measurement, and geometry through age-appropriate materials and activities.

Motor Skills:
Children will enjoy daily physical activities—free play or with specific instruction—that improve balance and spatial awareness. Music and dance activities will help children develop physical awareness and expression. First steps to handwriting will be taught through drawing, painting, and art projects.

Cooking:
Children will have fun in the Preschool play kitchen learning about diverse foods with French chef, Sylvie Berger. Delighting all five senses, children will deconstruct recipes while developing their fine motor skills and cultivating their palate.