Open Houses on October 31 and November 22 welcome families to visit brand new facility and learn more

McGRATHPR.com – Bear Cub Mandarin (BCM), a new Mandarin language immersion preschool launched in Arlington in September.  The brand-new facility, located at 1042 Massachusetts Avenue in Brattle Square, hosts two Open Houses for interested families to tour the preschool and learn more on October 31, 10:30 am to 12 noon, and November 22, 2:00 to 3:30 pm.  BCM’s staff has been trained and certified in the current CDC guidelines of mask wearing, hand sanitizing and social distancing.  Guests are encouraged to register online for their preferred open house time and must follow the mandated safety protocols during their visit to ensure the safety and good health of those present. 

“We’re so excited to see our dream come to reality,” shares MaeLynn Arnold, Bear Cub Mandarin co-founder.  “The launch has been a wonderful success, serving as a beacon of hope and safety for our students, and an opportunity to continue the legacy of the Mandarin language that our student’s families treasure.  Several years of experience, research and planning have culminated in this unique language-based education opportunity for the children of our region, resulting in a truly valuable preschool program.”

Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy offers morning and afternoon sessions, during two, three or five weekdays, serving children from 2.9 to 6 years in age.  The facility is custom designed to reflect the principles of its curriculum philosophy and to meticulously enhance its learning environment. BCM’s programs are modeled around the concept that young children are powerful, capable and autonomous individuals. Intentional, flexible teaching recognizes students as unique people with their own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. BCM’s immersion program is custom designed in a Reggio Emilia-inspired method, providing children with ample opportunity to hear and use complex language, and engage in contextual experiences in Mandarin through exploration, discovery and play.

“Our curriculum supports diverse learning and a wide range of school-readiness goals including English literacy and math, but most importantly social and emotional skills,” shares Arnold.  “We’ve engaged knowledgeable, well-qualified, diverse teachers that share our love of young children.”  Arnold is committed to ensuring that each educator carefully observes each child to create their optimal learning habitat, forming real connections and building meaningful relationships to inspire valuable student learning.

Arnold co-founded the preschool with her husband, Hao-Ming Chang, native to Taiwan.  Together they have cultivated a Mandarin and English bilingual home with their three children – a nearly 4 year-old daughter, and a 2 year-old and 7 month-old sons. Arnold holds a B.M. and an M.M. in violin performance from Boston University and is a Suzuki certified instructor. Chang holds a Ph.D. in molecular oncology and immunology from New York University School of Medicine.  “As school founders, and as parents, it is our hope to provide the best upbringing, education and opportunities to our children and students as we form them to grow into our next generation,” says Chang.

In the United States today, Mandarin, the official form of Chinese, the world’s oldest written language, is one of the most commonly spoken non-English languages, second only to Spanish.

For more information about BCM’s philosophy, enrollment and tuition, or to register for one of the upcoming Open Houses, visit bearcubmandarin.org, email contact@bearcubmandarin.org, call 781-819-0898, or follow Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy on Facebook.

About Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy

Founded in 2019, Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy (BCM) offers a unique opportunity for children to experience the Chinese Mandarin language through an emergent curriculum in a play-based, child-centered environment.  Students of mixed ages 2.9 to 6 years, are given space to explore, collaborate, observe and experiment, guided by native Mandarin speaking teachers, who observantly enhance each child’s experience and provide Mandarin language exposure in context and real time.

Inspired by the profound Reggio Emilia’s The Hundred Languages – the belief that children are natural communicators – Mandarin is offered as one important means by which children may explore and experience the world. Whether you are looking to introduce Mandarin as a second or third language, or to reinforce languages spoken at home, BCM offers a facility to center your child’s world of learning and exploration.

BCM offers multiple class schedules, with morning and afternoon sessions offered two, three and five days each week, Monday through Friday.  For more information about BCM’s philosophy, enrollment and tuition, visit bearcubmandarin.org, email contact@bearcubmandarin.org, call 781-819-0898, or follow Bear Cub Mandarin Immersion Preschool Academy on Facebook or Instagram.