BRAIN, BODY, emotional & SOCIAL GROWTH
INIC Preschool alumni excel and lead their classrooms after graduating from our innovative school readiness program.
Evidence-Based Curriculum
Simply put: kids learn more easily at INIC, thanks to our innovative approach.
INIC’s year-round Spanish immersion curriculum integrates principles from psychology and neuroscience (Neuropsychological and Brain-Based Learning). By knowing how young brains process information and emotions, our innovative methods are highly effective. Little scholars truly have a special opportunity to reach their unlimited potential.
Highlights: Social Emotional Readiness, Purposeful Play, dynamic arts, reading, writing, math, and science.
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn”
Academic & cultural immersion
Foundational skills in reading, writing, math, science
Low teacher-to-student ratios & lessons tailored to each child’s abilities
True Spanish immersion (every class in Spanish, every day)
Weekly Chinese classes
Research shows bilingual kids have higher math, reading, emotional, and analytical skills
Cultural celebrations & activities to foster empathy, respect, and embrace diversity
social-emotional & creative learning
Social Emotional Readiness plan to excel in elementary school
Sharing, friendship, conflict resolution, and morals are thoughtfully cultivated
Safe Space and Emotions Wheel in classrooms to help process emotions
Creative Lab art nurtures focus, paying attention to detail, learning to follow instructions, and imagination
Interactive music helps with body control, pattern recognition, and memory
Dynamic Physical development
Purposeful Play every day (structured activities like sports, exploration, games, imagination)
Gym, playground, and classroom lessons designed to impact every part of the body and brain
Large movement systems: coordination of arms, legs, and core (for active lifestyle, and more)
Fine movement systems: coordination of fingers, toes, and eyes (impacts reading, writing, posture, and more)
INIC’s organized play teaches teamwork, communication, and taking turns
language immersion & academics
INIC co-founder, Marytere Ciccone, helped pioneer our educational model, The M.T. Aldrete Learning System©.
The system has been used by more than 120 educational institutions in seven countries over the past 25 years, but it’s exclusive in Austin to INIC Preschool.
(Click here to learn more about the science behind our educational model.)
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Academic Curriculum
We teach children ages 0-5 age-appropriate lessons in math, reading, and writing foundations.
We also introduce students to science concepts and the natural world through fun experiments and our on-campus garden.
BRAIN BASED & Neuro-psychological based LEARNING
By understanding how young brains process information and emotions, our evidence-based approach is remarkably effective
Often involves strategies such as multisensory learning, active engagement, variety and novelty, and chunking information into manageable units
Focuses on creating environments that support learning (e.g., classroom layout, lighting, colors, temperature, noise levels)
Click here to understand the advantage of Brain Based & Neuropsychological Based Learning
Lessons Tailored to Each Student’s Development
All children learn differently, which is why our childcare teachers provide multiple ways to learn a concept (ex., visual and tactile aids, interactive lessons).
We identify our students’ strengths and areas for improvement so that we can meet them at their level of development and help them grow.
Teachers provide one-on-one attention when kids need it.
Excellent Teacher-to-Student Ratios
Preschool group ratio: 1:12 (TX Minimum Standards 1:15)
Pre-K group ratio 1:14 (TX Minimum Standards 1:18)
If a classroom exceeds our pre-set childcare ratios, an assistant or co-teacher will be available during peak activity.
We also have helpers on campus for additional support.
Small Group Lessons for Peer-Led Learning
Children often have an easier time mastering skills when they can mirror each other, which is why we put classmates into small groups to learn concepts.
This teamwork also encourages empathy and good citizenship!
introducing Technology without screens
Technology for preschoolers is not about electronic devices (we don’t use screens at INIC).
We consider “technology” to be any tool or resource that facilitates learning and exploration (e.g., simple building blocks, puzzles, art materials, educational toys).
Traditional tools like books, storytelling props, instruments, and sensory materials are also considered technology in the preschool context.
These hands-on experiences promote creativity, problem-solving, fine and gross motor skills, language development, and social interaction.
true spanish immersion
Research shows that bilingual children have higher math, reading, emotional, and analytical skills.
INIC is true immersion - every class is in Spanish, every day.
Teachers are either native or fluent Spanish speakers.
Learn more about the surprising benefits of bilingualism, even for infants!
Mandarin Chinese Lessons
INIC’s weekly classes in Mandarin Chinese provide an incredible next-level workout to a young child’s brain.
Repeated exposure to a third language engages young learners, fosters cognitive flexibility, expands phonic awareness, and promotes problem-solving abilities.
HOW INIC TEACHES CULTURE & WHY IT MATTERS
Expanding Horizons, Embracing Cultures—INIC Shapes Global Citizens from the Start
It’s in our name - "INIC" stands for International Immersion Center. Research confirms that engaging with a variety of cultures and languages at a young age enriches kids’ lives and helps shape compassionate, globally-minded leaders.
We’re passionate about expanding international culture because early exposure to diverse perspectives fosters empathy and well-rounded development.
(Click here to learn more about the surprising benefits of language immersion)
CulturAL IMMERSION with INIC PRESCHOOL
Spanish Immersion + Mandarin Chinese: Every class is in Spanish, every day. Plus, two weekly interactive Mandarine Chinese classes.
Celebrating Multicultural Events in Preschool: Our students engage in art, music, and traditional celebrations like Thanksgiving, Black Heritage Month, Día de los Muertos, Chinese New Year, Children’s Day, and much more. These activities introduce them to both American and international cultures in a fun and educational way.
Diverse Teaching Staff Enhancing Global Learning: Our diverse team of educators brings a wealth of cultural experiences, helping students appreciate global diversity from an early age.
Fostering Empathy and Respect Through Cultural Exposure: By immersing children in different cultures and languages, we nurture empathy, curiosity, and respect—key traits for thriving in an interconnected world.
KEY benefits For Students
Boosting Social-Emotional Development in Preschoolers: Immersing children in diverse environments promotes open-mindedness, empathy, and strong social relationships from a young age.
Building Cultural Awareness in Young Children: Early exposure to various cultures helps children develop a deep understanding of the world, equipping them for success in a global society.
Enhancing Communication Skills Through Cultural Diversity: Interaction with different cultural perspectives strengthens communication skills and adaptability in young children.
Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism in Early Childhood: Research shows that bilingualism enhances problem-solving abilities, creativity, and cognitive flexibility, laying a strong foundation for academic success.
Accelerating Language Development Through Immersion: Early language immersion improves literacy and communication skills, giving children a head start in their educational journey.
Preparing Children for a Globalized World: Understanding and appreciating diverse cultures prepares children to excel in our globally connected world.
Long-Term Academic Benefits of Multilingual Education: Studies link cultural immersion and multilingual education to improved academic performance, with early language learners often outperforming their monolingual peers.
Since 2012, INIC has been more than just a preschool or daycare or childcare center.
INIC is a vibrant community where children learn to celebrate cultural differences, embrace the richness of the world around them, and grow into compassionate, globally-minded individuals.
Sources: Why Cultural Immersion is Vital for Early Childhood Development
Cognitive Development Through Bilingualism: Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that bilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Social-Emotional Growth in Culturally Diverse Settings: The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) highlights how exposure to diverse environments promotes empathy and social understanding in young children.
Language Development and Early Literacy: The Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention emphasizes the importance of early language immersion for improving language skills and literacy.
Global Competence and Cultural Awareness: The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) discusses the importance of global awareness for future success.
Academic Achievement Through Multilingual Education: Studies published in the Educational Psychology Review link early bilingual education to higher academic performance.
These benefits align with INIC’s mission to enrich lives and open minds, preparing young children to succeed in a diverse and interconnected world.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
INIC believes in nurturing the whole child, which includes providing them with the social and emotional skills they will need in elementary school.
We also incorporate art, music, and play into all our lessons because not only do they make learning fun, but they are extremely important to developing students’ cognitive, motor, and social skills.
social emotional Readiness
One of the most important aspects of childcare is helping students socialize and manage emotions.
We teach social emotional learning (SEL) to show students how to resolve conflicts, empathize with others, and manage “big feelings.”
happy places for students
Students feel safe at a small campus where they’re surrounded by kids of similar age and size, and everyone knows them.
Classrooms and playgrounds are custom-made for each age group.
Safe places are available for processing emotions.
creative lab - Surprising benefits of art
Art is integrated into all areas of curriculum, bringing subject matter to life. Art has many, many benefits for very young learners:
Follow instructions, listening skills, paying attention to detail
Creative thinking & problem solving
Differentiating & deeper understanding of concepts
Sensory integration of textures, colors, shapes
“Loose parts” arts and play involves providing children with a variety of open-ended materials, such as sticks, fabric scraps, and other objects. They can interact with materials in endless ways, using their imagination and creativity to explore and create. Loose parts arts and play encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and critical thinking as they build, construct, and invent. It promotes social interaction and collaboration as children work together to explore. It’s also a lot of fun.
The scientific method is embraced at INIC Preschool. Students are encouraged to observe, hypothesize, experiment, and draw conclusions. For example, when creating art, children might observe how mixing colors produces new shades or experiment with different materials to see how they interact. They can hypothesize about the outcomes of their actions, test their ideas through hands-on exploration, and draw conclusions based on their observations. This process mirrors the steps of the scientific method, helping preschoolers develop critical thinking skills and a curiosity about the world around them.
music’s surprising benefits
Developmental Benefits: Music stimulates areas of the brain associated with language, memory, and emotional processing.
Motor Skills: Dancing, playing instruments, and moving to music improve gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, limb coordination, and balance.
Language Development: Singing songs, rhymes, and chants helps develop phonological awareness, vocabulary, and language comprehension, laying a strong foundation for literacy.
Cognitive Skills: Musical activities involve pattern recognition, sequencing, and problem-solving, enhancing cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and spatial reasoning.
Social & Emotional Development: Participating in musical activities fosters social skills like sharing, cooperation, turn-taking, and empathy, as well as emotional expression and regulation.
Creativity and Imagination: Music encourages creativity and imagination, allowing children to express themselves freely and explore their unique talents and interests.
DYNAMIC PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
INIC helps develop students’ fine and large motor skills through fun lessons, multiple gyms and playgrounds, and Purposeful Play every day.
Our organized play also teaches teamwork, communication, and teaching turns.
physical development
Gym, playground, and classroom lessons designed to impact every part of the body and brain
Large movement systems: coordination of arms, legs, and core (essential for active lifestyle, and more)
Fine movement systems: coordination of fingers, toes, and eyes (impacts reading, writing, posture, and more)
INIC’s organized play teaches teamwork, communication, and taking turns
purposeful play, every day
Structured play in group and individual activities
Includes exploration, sports, games, and imagination activities
Promotes social cognition, academic success, positive behaviors, and family involvement