Dual Language Learners

We believe in embracing diversity and creating a climate that is strength-based.

Brookline Sprouts strives to provide support for dual language learners to help promote their academic achievement. Brookline Sprouts believes that:

• Families are our partners, and childrens' home languages are deserving of respect

• Bilingualism is a strength that is to be fostered

To support children and families who use languages apart from English, Brookline Sprouts uses the following methods:

• Visuals and learning materials that support and reflect the languages and cultures of the children in the program are provided and displayed in classrooms

• Specialized Training for all staff is available
• Communication with parents who speak multiple languages is conducted both in-writing and face-to-face to ensure as much understanding as possible
• Parents are encouraged to disclose whether or not their child speaks/uses a language besides English
• All staff are made aware of children who utilize languages besides English
• Staff are encouraged to use languages besides English with the children in their care, often incorporating languages besides English into their daily interactions with children
• Childrens' books in languages other than English are incorporated into all classroom libraries, and flash cards in multiple languages can be found in both the schoolage and preschool areas.
• Children should be encouraged to communicate in their home languages whenever possible, and other children are encouraged to learn from their multilingual friends, teachers, and other community members who they come into contact with during their time at Brookline Sprouts.
• Segregation or teasing on the basis of multilingualism is not tolerated, and any instances of this from staff, children, parents of children in our program, or anyone else during center operational hours should be reported to administration immediately