philosophy

Concord Preschool and Kindergarten
for bright, talented and creative children
4300 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor Mi 48103
(734) 662-6002

Our Philosophy
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We aim to provide our students with a true "preschool experience" in an intimate and homey atmosphere. We are not a "day care center", although we do provide day care services. We are a "learning-based" program that is playful, not play-based. Children at Concord Preschool and Kindergarten learn by playing with others, by participating in teacher-led group activities, and by going on field-trips.

“My older daughter has spent two wonderful years at Concord, where she has grown immensely, both socially and intellectually. The inventive curriculum keeps her challenged, while providing a very warm and nurturing environment for her and her schoolmates. We are excited to have our younger daughter start at Concord as soon as she turns two and a half so that she too can benefit and grow from this marvelous experience just like her sister.”
Jennifer Somers Weitzer
It may help you understand how Concord Ann Arbor Preschool and Kindergarten operates if you know a bit about our philosophy for childhood education...
We believe that no two children are alike. For this reason, one educational methodology cannot be applied to all.
We do not agree with any methodology that puts its method above the individual needs of a child.
We believe that children should be encouraged to think creatively, not just go through a series of tasks.
We believe that play is an important way children learn about their world. At the same time, we are not a "play based" school. We also believe it is our duty to introduce the world to children through meaningful teacher-directed activities.
We believe in letting children's interests influence what we study.
We believe in adaptability.
We encourage interaction among children, so our students develop important social skills.
It may also help you to understand what Concord is about if you understand a few things that we are not... Although we do provide care we are not a "day-care center". We do not, for example, provide infant care. Our mission is to provide a true "preschool" opportunity. We are not a large center. Our school is small, nurturing, home-like and "child-sized". We do not push children beyond what they are ready to learn and succeed at. We do not adhere to a "system". We believe that the individual needs of a child are more important. We are not big. We are not corporate. Parent and student input makes a difference in how we do things.
“Our daughter Clara has blossomed after coming to Concord. The School has a warm and loving environment, where she was truly happy. The educational environment was exciting and fun.”
Lesli & Christopher Ballard

Boredom, for any child, is a prison, but for a bright young child, it is especially painful. The gifted preschooler, too young to recognize what is wrong with the situation, will usually do one of two things, withdraw or act out. Bright children have unique emotional needs. They take in more from their environment and as a result are often more emotional and sensitive. Their immaturity does not allow them to accurately assess the situation. This means many bright children cry more often or are more easily frustrated than their peers. A bright child tends to see his or her self as their own authority. This does not mean that the child is selfish or self centered, but instead believes that their point of view is as valid as any other, adult or not. Unless there is a teacher in place who relishes the interaction with a bright child, your bright child will find themselves in frequent turmoil with adults, and self esteem can be damaged. Bright children also can be manipulative. They need teachers who will lovingly set boundaries and enough freedom within an understandable structure so that this negative behavior is not allowed to thrive. Bright children can also be perfectionists. Here again a loving teacher will encourage mistakes as a way of learning and the path to “getting it right”. After all, that’s why there are erasers! At Concord we see our children as unique and special individuals and make a sincere attempt to individualize their instruction. One child, who had an intense interest in cars, was actually given a real car with a damaged engine to tinker with during his time at Concord. That child is now at the University of Michigan in Automotive Design. Another child was disappointed that our “summer camp” program didn’t have a tent. We decided to provide a large tent that the boy and his father spent an enjoyable Saturday morning assembling. Teachers are constantly bringing in books and items that represent the interests of a particular child. Every year we do a month of international studies. The countries studied represent the backgrounds of our families. At Concord, we do everything in our power to properly challenge and engage the bright child. We provide the most individualized education so that a child can go as far as they are able to.
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