Phonetic reading
Phonological awareness and decoding in Spanish and English. The child discovers that letters have sounds and words can be read.
Level 02 · Grammar stage
Ages 4 to 6
This is where the foundations are laid. And foundations matter.
Early reading, beginning writing, and concrete math. Kindergarten is the grammar stage of the Trivium in its purest form: the mind absorbs, memorizes, and recognizes patterns with an ease that will not return.
Formative goals
The golden age for learning to read.
Between ages 4 and 6 a child has an extraordinary capacity to memorize, recognize patterns, and absorb language. Classical pedagogy calls this the grammar stage: it is not about reasoning yet, but about building the database — phonetic, numerical, linguistic — on which reasoning will later stand.
In Kindergarten we teach phonetic reading in Spanish and English, begin formal handwriting, and work on math concretely, with manipulatives before abstractions.
It is all done with order, joy, and appropriate rigor. A well-done Kindergarten does not pressure the child: it equips them, handing over the most important tool of their school life — reading.
Beginning writing
Stroke, directionality, and first words. The hand learns to obey the mind.
Concrete math
Counting, quantity, addition, and subtraction with manipulatives. Number is understood before it is written.
Memory and pattern
Poetry, songs, sequences. Memory is exercised like a muscle at its peak of development.
Consolidated bilingual ear
The child understands and expresses themselves in both languages in everyday situations, without translating mentally.
Habits and virtue
Attention, order, courtesy, and first notions of the faith lived naturally.
The academic day
What a day in Kindergarten looks like.
More structure than in Pre-K, but still with room for play and movement. Half the day in each language.
In Spanish In English Bilingual / shared
- 7:30
Arrival, prayer & circle
Bilingual / sharedCalendar, weather, morning prayer, and the plan for the day.
- 8:00
Reading & phonics in Spanish
In SpanishPhonological awareness, syllables, and first words.
- 8:45
Writing & handwriting
In SpanishBeginning handwriting, directionality, and fine motor skills.
- 9:30
Snack & recess
Bilingual / sharedSupervised free play and fellowship.
- 10:00
Phonics & reading in English
In EnglishLetter sounds, sight words, and shared reading.
- 10:45
Math with manipulatives
In EnglishCounting, quantity, and number sense — concrete first.
- 11:30
Exploring the environment
In SpanishNature, seasons, my family, and my community.
- 12:15
Lunch
Bilingual / sharedTable habits and gratitude.
- 13:00
Catechesis & formation
In SpanishStories of the faith, prayer, and virtues.
- 13:45
Music, art & movement
In EnglishSongs, crafts, and creative expression in English.
- 14:30
Closing & read-aloud
Bilingual / sharedStory of the day and review of what was learned.
- 15:00
Dismissal
Bilingual / sharedAn orderly goodbye with family.
The schedule is illustrative and varies by Kindergarten grade (K1, K2, K3). The 50/50 Spanish-English principle stays constant.
Subjects by language
What is studied, and in which language.
In Kindergarten, subjects begin to take their own shape. The distribution keeps the 50/50 balance.
Subjects in Spanish
- Reading & phonics (Spanish)
- Beginning writing & handwriting
- Exploring the environment
- Civic & virtue formation
- Catechesis & prayer
Subjects in English
- Phonics & reading (English)
- Math with manipulatives
- Science & discovery
- Music & art
- Physical education
Readings & works
From listening to reading.
The child moves from being read to, to reading on their own. We accompany that leap with classic tales, early readers, and plenty of memorized poetry in both languages.
Fables of Aesop and La Fontaine
Classical tradition
Tales with a moral, memorized and discussed as a group.
Classic fairy tales
Perrault, Andersen, Grimm
The narrative that structures imagination and language.
Dr. Seuss — early readers
Theodor Geisel
Rhyme and rhythm in English: ideal for first readers.
Frog and Toad
Arnold Lobel
First books for independent reading in English.
Spanish poetry & rhymes
Traditional canon
Memorizing short poems: memory at its peak.
My first illustrated Bible
Adaptation
The great stories of the faith, told for this age.
In the grammar stage, memorizing poetry is not a whim: it builds the sonic and lexical base on which everything else is constructed.
Level milestones
What to expect by the end of Kindergarten.
The single most important threshold of all school life: reading.
01
Reads at a beginning level in Spanish and English
Decodes simple words and sentences in both languages. The key tool of all academic life is underway.
02
Writes their name and familiar words
Masters stroke, directionality, and copying; begins spontaneous writing.
03
Counts, adds, and subtracts with concrete material
Understands quantity and number, and solves simple operations with manipulative support.
04
Speaks with everyday bilingual fluency
Converses, asks, and narrates in Spanish and English in day-to-day situations.
05
Works with attention and order
Sustains an activity, follows multi-step instructions, and cares for their materials.
Frequently asked questions
About Kindergarten.
The most common questions from families in the preschool years.
Isn't it too soon to teach reading at age 4 or 5?
No, and the evidence is clear: the grammar stage (ages 4 to 6) is precisely when the brain is best prepared for phonological awareness and decoding. We teach reading with a phonetic method, without pressure, respecting each child's pace. Taking advantage of this window is a lifelong advantage.
Does learning to read in two languages at once confuse the child?
No. Neuropsychological research shows that young children distinguish and acquire two linguistic systems without confusion. In fact, learning phonics in Spanish and English in parallel strengthens language awareness in both. What matters is the consistency of the method, which is exactly what we offer.
What if my child starts Kindergarten without having done Pre-K here?
It is very common and welcome. We carry out an admissions assessment and, if needed, a transition support in the first weeks, especially for the bilingual component. At this age, adaptation is usually quick.
Do you use textbooks or your own materials?
We combine Pharr Oratory system materials for English phonics and math, our own resources for Spanish reading, and original works (tales, poetry) for shared reading. We do not work with loose photocopies: the child learns with real books.
How do I know if my child is doing well?
Through continuous assessment and frequent communication. We do not use standardized tests at this age: we observe reading, writing, oral language, and math qualitatively, and we share progress and areas to reinforce with the family through reports and meetings.
The decisive step
Learning to read changes everything else.
Kindergarten hands over the key to school life. Schedule a tour and see how we teach reading, writing, and counting — in two languages and with the classical method.