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English-Mandarin Immersion Program
Nurture the Mind & Body
Fulfill Curiosity
Embrace the Love of Learning
Introduction
Welcome!
Welcome to Zen Play on the lake! It is my honor and with excitement to introduce to the community a small and intimate preschool program. Lessons are held mostly outdoors, filled with hands-on-activities through a play-based curriculum. Play is learning. Play serves a big part in cognitive development. Play promotes strong relationships for children and helps them develop character. When children engage in different types of play, they are actually learning life skills to become self-directed learners, resilient individuals, creative problem solvers, flexible thinkers and most importantly, kind and empathetic citizens.
The early childhood years are a unique and special time in a child’s life. Research has shown that 90% of brain development occurs by the age of five. A high quality early childhood program is absolutely essential to optimize every moment of these early years. At Zen Play Preschool, we focus on how to prepare the child for the world and their future educational path. Children will learn to strengthen their self-regulation skills, become self-efficient, and self-motivated. These skills are crucial and lays the foundation for a child's growth.
Zen Play has a very unique DUAL IMMERSION curriculum. The program highlights not only play-based activities but also allows children to learn values in life through Zen and eastern philosophies. The program is based on well-researched mixes of Montessori, Reggio and International Baccalaureate, which promotes learning through a balanced and carefully arranged, developmentally appropriate environment.
Zen Play Preschool weighs heavily on building a happy, healthy, and caring community for children to learn and grow. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing children happy, love learning, and love to skip to school.
About Me
My name is Shirley Lee and I am the founder for Zen Play Preschool. I speak 3 languages fluently. Born in the "Big Apple" of New York and raised in the heart of the Sunset District in San Francisco. I lived off and on in Asia for a period of over 20 years. I have tons of energy and I love dancing my sillies off with my students. I have worked with children for over 20 years. I am blessed to remain in contact with past students and parents, including students from my first year of teaching who are now in college.
I hold a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from New York University (Steinhardt School of Education). I am a member of Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education). I had great pleasure in teaching Mandarin & English to Kindergarteners at a prestigious school, Independent Schools Foundation Academy (ISF Academy) in Hong Kong. I have also taught preschoolers up to second grade in the U.S. (CA and NY). In addition, I received Montessori training and taught at the well-respected Westside Montessori School in New York.
Being a yoga nut, I obtained two children’s yoga certifications from Karma Kids Yoga in New York. I have always been a devotee in incorporating yoga, meditation, Arts & Theatre, and music in my class. One of my most profound memories are being part of three 7-Day Meditation Retreats. To this day, I continue to practice meditation daily.
As a nature and outdoor lover, I find every opportunity to immerse myself in adventures. I had the blessing to have visited 46 countries. Those precious international experiences allows me to offer a rich multi-cultural curriculum.
About Us
What Zen Play Does
Zen Play Values Safety
Respect & Mindfulness
Zen Play Preschool values highly on play.
Our bilingual program offers effective and fun Mandarin learning for children. At Zen Play Preschool, 70% of Mandarin language is used during children's school day. Children experience different types of development through play.
We incorporate at least 6 types of play for their lessons. Play i
Zen Play Preschool values highly on play.
Our bilingual program offers effective and fun Mandarin learning for children. At Zen Play Preschool, 70% of Mandarin language is used during children's school day. Children experience different types of development through play.
We incorporate at least 6 types of play for their lessons. Play is the most natural and organic way for physical, intellectual, social, emotional, language and literacy development.
For example, when we use role and imaginative play in the Cafe and Farmer's Market centers, children are developing communication skills. Wouldn't it be awesome when your child can order shuǐjiǎo (dumplings) and their own food at a Chinese restaurant? That language skill came simply from role playing in the cafe and farmer's market.
Constructive play is another type of play we value very much. It allows children to work problems out for themselves because there is no "right way" when you draw, paint, dance, build, and create art. This type of lesson will help children gain self-esteem, the confidence to succeed and gain a sense of accomplishment.
"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."
~ Maria Montessori
Respect & Mindfulness
Zen Play Values Safety
Respect & Mindfulness
Every lesson is carefully designed, not just only for academic growth, but most importantly, for emotional growth. At Zen Play Preschool, we strive to help children become honest, respectful, empathetic and mindful individuals.
Mindful learners have more awareness for themselves and have less accidents (like bumping into objects or peop
Every lesson is carefully designed, not just only for academic growth, but most importantly, for emotional growth. At Zen Play Preschool, we strive to help children become honest, respectful, empathetic and mindful individuals.
Mindful learners have more awareness for themselves and have less accidents (like bumping into objects or people, tripping over things or spilling water) because they are aware and are in the moment. Children also learn to be mindful and respectful of others.
Here at Zen Play Preschool, children are engaged with meaningful activities like yoga, meditation, gardening, and story books that teaches them how to respect and take care of themselves, friends and family, including plants and animals, and their environment.
"The most beautiful site in the world is a little child going confidently down the road of life after you have shown him the way"
~ Confucius
Zen Play Values Safety
Zen Play Values Safety
Zen Play Values Safety
Zen Play Preschool's class size is a maximum of 4 students per class. Your child’s health and safety is essential. Therefore, appropriate measures and precautions for all families, children and educators will be practiced. At arrival, all children will receive a temperature check and washing hands before starting class. Children who ha
Zen Play Preschool's class size is a maximum of 4 students per class. Your child’s health and safety is essential. Therefore, appropriate measures and precautions for all families, children and educators will be practiced. At arrival, all children will receive a temperature check and washing hands before starting class. Children who have a cough or sniffles will be required to wear a mask. All materials and equipment will be disinfected after each lesson. We are also a nut-free environment.
What Our Day Looks Like (NOT OFFERING FULL-DAY)
8:45 AM
Welcome - drop off. Temperature check / handwashing / reading area.
9:00 AM
Morning Meeting (Mandarin)- circle area for attendance, calendar, share and present news - weather, and morning yoga/exercise.
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Garden Care / Children prepare snack
10:00 - 10:40AM
Theme Lesson (Nine Units)
Story / Art / Group Reflection
10:40 - 11:30 AM
Big lawn Play: Social Play / Music n Movement / Yoga
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Chinese Cultural Exploration
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:30 PM
Nap / Rest / Reading or Drawing Centers for non-nappers
1:30 PM
Nature Walk (learn about tree names, shapes, animals, etc...)
Outdoor Centers (Free Choice of Centers)
2:00 PM
Children prepare and serve snack
Math & Science Centers
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Tidy-up
Children Sharing time (end of day meeting)
Story / Song / Dismissal
Warm Day Messy Play
Children will wear swimsuits to do Art, Water & STEM play, gardening, etc...
Children can rinse off with outdoor shower after exploring with paint!
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Rain stick art project
We made gluten-free cinnamon pancakes topped with bananas!
The visible brush strokes speaks intent and confidence. We learned how to write the Chinese character "ren" (people). We also discussed how people work, live, and help each other.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery - Play Yoga at Amazon Rainforest Understory and Canopy Layers
Photo Gallery: Rainforest Adventure (Part 1 - rainforest floor)
Contact Us
Contact us for a tour!
