New Parent Guide: The Complete Guide to Choosing a Mandarin Preschool in Brooklyn
One decision. Ten years of childhood.
Choosing a preschool is one of the first major educational decisions a family makes. It is also one of the most confusing.
Every school promises caring teachers, engaging classrooms, and a love of learning. Some emphasize academics. Others focus on play. Some advertise bilingual education. Others highlight Montessori. How can parents know what truly matters?
The answer begins with understanding something even more important than schools. It begins with understanding children.
In this guide, we have included everything you need to know before choosing a Mandarin immersion preschool—from bilingualism and Montessori to what questions to ask during a school tour.
Montessori vs. Traditional Preschool
What's the real difference? Beyond appearances, these two educational approaches are built on very different beliefs about how children learn. Explore the latest research, compare classroom experiences, and discover which environment best supports your child's development.
Is Montessori Right For My Child?
The greatest benefits of Montessori unfold over time. Learn why the third year is often called the "year of explosion."
AMI vs. AMS Montessori: What's the Difference?
Not all Montessori schools follow the same educational approach. Learn the differences between AMI, AMS, and Montessori-inspired schools, why teacher training matters, and how to recognize an authentic Montessori education.
What Age Should My Child Start Montessori?
From toddler through preschool, every stage offers unique opportunities for growth. Learn what child development, modern research, and over a century of Montessori observation reveal about the best time to begin.
Why Mandarin Immersion?
Curious about raising a bilingual child? This guide explore what the research says about language development and why early childhood is such a powerful window for learning.
Why Do Young Children Learn Languages So Effortlessly
Does Bilingualism Confuse Children?
Mandarin Classes vs. Mandarin Immersion
What If I Don't Speak Mandarin?
Questions Every Parent Should Ask During a School Tour
A beautiful classroom doesn't always tell the whole story. Here are the questions that reveal how a school really supports children's growth.
Why Montessori Classrooms Mix 3-, 4-, and 5-Year-Olds Together
Why do three-, four-, and five-year-olds learn together? Discover how children become both learners and leaders within the Montessori community.
Potty Training at 18 Months: The Montessori Approach Every Parent Should Know
The Montessori approach calls it "toilet learning". Not training. And starts at 18 months for a reason. Here's what the method says, what the research shows, and how to do it at home without rewards, pressure, or power struggles.
Read the Guide —>
Continue Your Journey
Looking for a deeper understanding of child development? Explore our Ms. Lam Childhood Framework, where we share the science, observations, and Montessori principles that have guided our classrooms for more than forty years.
Explore the Ms. Lam Childhood Framework —>
Looking for Montessori at home? Read Stephanie's personal blog where she shares real-life parenting stories, home setups, and practical tips from raising her twins.