Our inquiry-based, multilingual curriculum nurtures each child’s intellectual, social, and physical development by blending the best of the European Kindergarten model with the strengths of American early childhood education. Rooted in research, our approach honors the idea that learning is most powerful when it grows from a child’s questions, hands-on experiences, and joyful play.
A Typical Day of Interdisciplinary Learning
When David couldn’t stop talking about airplanes, his passion for airspace became contagious. Our teachers recognized the growing interest and developed an entire curriculum centered on flight. The classroom transformed into a plane: rows of chairs became seats; windows were labeled as portholes; check-in counters were sketched on cardboard. David, proudly wearing his pilot’s hat, took his place in the cockpit beside his co-pilot, Mayra. Each passenger had a role: checking boarding passes, weighing luggage, and guiding others to their seats. One child even counted out snacks from the snack cart, practicing both manners and measurement.
Children wrote their names on tickets (literacy), counted seat rows and matched numbers (math), and, without even realizing it, explored principles of lift, thrust, and drag —key aerodynamic concepts—by experimenting with what made paper airplanes fly straighter or farther (science).
This is constructivist pedagogy in action, inspired by Jean Piaget’s belief that children build knowledge through meaningful, multi-sensory experiences. Neuroscience confirms that when learning is tied to movement, emotion, and purpose, it becomes deeply embedded in memory.
And while this entire day unfolded in German, Spanish, or French, language wasn’t the goal—it was the medium. Language acquisition becomes effortless, a joyful bonus of an already unforgettable day, where all the learning is stuck alongside the fun.
At KinderHaus, a child’s curiosity is the curriculum.
Watch the video to learn more about our educational philosophy and our research-based curriculum, including our renowned Toy-Free Classroom approach, immersive bilingual programming, and the ways we support emotional, cognitive, and physical development through play.
Learning That Begins With Wonder
Imagine a classroom where the lesson begins not with a worksheet, but with a question a child asked on a morning walk through Prospect Park: “Why do some leaves fall early?” That spark becomes a multi-day exploration into seasons, colors, weather, and change—integrating science, storytelling, math, art, and German vocabulary. This is what we mean by inquiry-based learning.
At KinderHaus, learning grows organically from children’s curiosity. Whether it’s building a birdhouse after noticing a nest in the backyard or counting seeds before planting them in our garden, our curriculum meets children where they are—and then gently stretches their thinking further.
Whole-Child Education, Rooted in Relationships
We don’t just educate minds—we nurture whole human beings. Our holistic approach helps children become independent, confident, and compassionate. We place strong emphasis on emotional intelligence, decision-making, and the development of each child’s unique voice.
The cornerstone of this growth? Deep, positive relationships. Our teachers form strong, trusting bonds with every child, allowing them to feel safe enough to take risks, ask big questions, and explore with confidence.
You might see a child who once struggled with transitions now take the lead in organizing cleanup time, or a quiet child start a group conversation at snack. These moments of growth are not just milestones—they are evidence of a curriculum that honors the whole child.
Play Is Serious Work
We believe play is a powerful expression of intelligence and creativity. Through play, children make sense of their world, negotiate relationships, and stretch their abilities.
On any given day, you might find KinderHaus children:
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Designing and constructing bridges from blocks after reading Die drei Ziegenböcke Bruse – The Three Billy Goats Gruff
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Reenacting a trip to the farmers’ market in German, complete with handmade signs and pretend produce
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Working together to build a rain catcher in the backyard and measure rainfall over time
These experiences foster critical thinking, collaboration, and deep engagement across disciplines.
Curriculum That Emerges From the Child
Our emergent curriculum reflects the interests, rhythms, and cultural backgrounds of the children. Projects shift with the seasons—such as crafting lanterns for St. Martin’s Day or studying the life cycles of ladybugs in spring.
Each activity draws from multiple disciplines—math, science, art, movement, music, and language—creating a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience. Through this approach, children gain not only knowledge but also a deeper understanding. They gain confidence, agency, and a love for learning that prepares them for the primary grades and beyond.
Language Opens Worlds
Children at KinderHaus are immersed in languages from the very beginning, whether they come from multilingual homes or not. Through songs, stories, games, and daily conversation with native-language speaking teachers, they learn new languages as naturally as they learned to talk at home.
You’ll hear toddlers singing German lullabies, preschoolers discussing the weather in complete sentences, and Pre-K children acting out puppet shows in German. More than just vocabulary, they gain cultural fluency—celebrating traditions, holidays, and storytelling.
We welcome families from all language backgrounds, and our parent community plays a vital role in our school. Even if the language isn’t spoken at home, parents who show curiosity and enthusiasm for their child’s language journey help foster lasting success.
By learning languages, children gain access to new cultures, new opportunities, and a mindset of global citizenship.
Nature as Classroom, Teacher, and Playground
At KinderHaus, nature is not a break from learning; it is learning.
Whether they’re gathering leaves in Prospect Park, building stick forts in our backyard, or measuring shadows with chalk and rulers, children explore the natural world with intention and awe.
We go outside every day, regardless of the season. Our seasonal outdoor curriculum teaches children to observe, adapt, and collaborate. They build with natural materials, care for living things, and develop physical confidence through free movement. Rain or shine, we’re outdoors because we know children thrive when they feel rooted in the earth.