Parent Resources

No.  We have yet to find this with any of our graduates.   Studies have shown that the bilingual mind is cognitively enhanced in problem solving, multi-tasking, with higher levels of memory and focus, amongst other benefits.

There are public/charter schools around the valley that offer a half day of Mandarin, Spanish (or both), and the other half in English.   There are also many schools that offer an hour a day or week in these classes, as well as a number of after school programs.  We have currently suspended our after school classes for our graduates as we get our Phoenix location launched, but we are open to re-starting this program in the future.

If you have a background in one or both of the languages, by all means, speak as much as you like with them!   The more they hear, the more they absorb.   Although we don’t promote screen time, there are many apps and YouTube channels that are available (i.e. Little Fox Chinese). 

In short, it’s all about exposure.   We teach in a full immersion setting due to how language is learned and internalized.   In an immersive classroom, the children hear it constantly, see it in context, and are forced to use it, which builds a deeper understanding than simply translating words back and forth.  These cues and this process starts taking place on day one!  

It is always hard as a parent trusting another with the care of your child.   Our teachers are trained in a multitude of methods of how to help children adjust to their new environment.   We will work with you on how to drop off successfully, and have a parent packet specifically for separation anxiety and how to help your children.   It is important to make coming to preschool a positive and fun experience, and the staff and parents at Global Minds work in tandem to make this possible.  

Global Minds uses the Brightwheel app to send out communication and daily updates with families.   Our newsletter, reminders and messages will be sent on this platform.   We are always available within business hours by phone or email, and our teachers are available at naptime for scheduled meetings.   Should you like a meeting with the teacher, we like to set these up after 12:45 (when the children are napping), and we can usually do this with just a day notice.  If your schedule does not allow to meet at this time, we will set something up at your convenience (but not during morning class time hours).

This is the most important element of our school.   If a child leaves our school with fluency in one or two languages, this is truly great.   However, if that same child graduates without the ability to navigate their emotions, express their feelings, have empathy towards others, or socialize comfortable amongst their peers, we have failed them.   Our teachers put social and emotional development above all else.   We learn about our feelings/emotions on a daily basis in circle time, and we practice mindfulness activities weekly as well.   Our teachers prioritize social and emotional development and are role models for the students. By demonstrating how to handle their own emotions, express feelings constructively, and show understanding toward others, teachers provide invaluable guidance for students.  This is a process that we will be working in concert with all of our parents at Global Minds.

Students must to be potty-trained by the time they are 3 years old.   Our classrooms all have bathrooms, and our teachers will offer assistance with this process.   Our family handbook and registration will go over this extensively.   We have hundreds of success stories over the years, so please ask our staff for their expertise and what is best practice at home!