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Academic Overview

The first step in a lifelong love of learning begins in Preschool. The Early Childhood Center at ASF is designed to help the child develop the social skills necessary for group play, to learn how to navigate the classroom environment and to begin the process of independent problem solving.  Exploration, free and creative play, is intertwined within the curriculum helping our students to develop the desire to learn.  Due to the fact that the preschool years have such a broad developmental range, we strive to meet the needs of each child in our program academically as well as socially and emotionally.

Learning happens when experiences are built on what a child already knows and can do, and when a child is encouraged to stretch toward a new level of achievement. Students practice social skills that are embedded in the curriculum through direct teaching, play-based engagements and continuous assessment practices. They learn to make choices and as a result take ownership of their learning.

The ASF Early Childhood Center is an English-immersion program which follows the IB Primary Years Programme. Meaningful, integrated and in-depth lessons and engagements in math and literacy lay a strong foundation for future learning. Children participate in music, art, physical education and hands-on science classes. A kitchen program rounds out the curriculum.

Whether it is a field trip to a farm or a fire station, a science experiment about plant life, chopping and cutting vegetables for a healthy salad or finger painting their feelings, ECC students are always actively learning about the world around them, emotions, family and life. Children learn to be caring and empathetic when they become involved in community service projects and learn about sustainability when they reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

 

Experiences

Two young children in denim overalls play with colorful toys in a sandpit, with framed artwork displayed on a red wall behind them.
A young girl with a red bow in her hair plays a game at a table in the foreground, while other children and an adult are visible in the blurred background.
Children in various cultural attire, some holding a Colombian flag, gather outdoors with adults in the background.
Three young children sit on the floor holding colorful toy instruments, with shelves and a piano visible in the background.
A man in a mask gestures to four young children gathered around a large drum in a colorful room.
A woman stands by an altar decorated with marigolds and papel picado, while a group of children watches from the background.
A man dressed as Mario poses with two children in costumes, one as Toad, while others in Halloween attire are visible in the background.
Children in the foreground sit on a blanket reading books, while a playground structure is visible in the background.
Children stand on risers in the foreground, singing with hands on their chests, in front of an orange banner that reads %22Happy Grandparents Day!%22 in the background.
Two young boys dressed as old men, one with suspenders and a bow tie, the other with a cap and suspenders, stand on a blue mat in front of a colorful backdrop with children and adults in the background.
Children dressed in costumes stand on a stage with a rock-like backdrop, while an audience of children sits on the ground in front of them.
Two young boys chase a giant soccer ball on a green field with a man running behind them, while a soccer goal and trees form the background.
A young boy in a blue sack race bag hops on a green turf field with spectators in the background.
Adults and children hold a large, colorful parachute in the foreground, with a blurred background of a grassy field and buildings.
Children in the foreground enthusiastically play tug-of-war on a grassy field, while adults and other children watch in the blurred background.
A young girl in a patterned dress holds a small ceramic bird in the foreground, with a display of colorful ceramic creatures and a green, leafy background behind her.
Children in festive attire play tambourines in front of a dark stage backdrop.
A young girl in a pink dress swings a stick at a gingerbread man piñata, with a blurred background of people and a festive setting.
Children in maroon shirts play a sport with sticks and balls on a green field, with other players and a blurred background of a stadium.

Head of ECC

Erin Trautman has been a part of ASF for over 30 years, serving in various capacities. She has worked in the Services for Academic Success division, as the ECC Literacy Interventionist, and as the LS Dean of Students before becoming the Head of the ECC in 2018.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Ohio University, a Master's degree in Reading and Learning Disabilities from DePaul University, and a second Master's degree in International Education Administration from Endicott College. She is also the proud mother of two ASF graduates who are now living and working in the United States.

A smiling blonde woman in a patterned jacket stands against a plain white background.
 

Erin Trautman

Meet the ECC team

A smiling woman with short, light brown hair and a colorful scarf is pictured against a gray, textured background.
 
academic dean

Kristal Rice
 

A smiling woman with long brown hair and pink earrings is in the foreground, against a dark, textured background.
 
K3 COUNSELOR

Carrie Haugh

 

A woman with auburn hair and a white shirt smiles against a gray, textured background.
 
Dean of students

Vail Hilbert
 

A smiling woman with dark hair and a blue sweater is in the foreground, with a gray, textured background behind her.
 
activities specialist

Lilia Vargas
 

A smiling woman in a coral cardigan is set against a textured, dark background.
 
K1, k2 COUNSELOR

Dira Parra