Školarci

The ages of 5–7 represent the transition from early childhood into the period of more formal school-based learning. At this stage, children are already able to engage in longer conversations, retell events, ask questions, express their opinions, and connect language with reading and writing. For children growing up in a multilingual environment, this is an ideal time for the heritage language to become more firmly established as a language of everyday communication (in certain contexts), while also beginning the development of literacy in that language.

This program is designed for children ages 5–7 and is based on play, songs, movement, shared reading, creativity, social interaction, and encouraging communication among children. At this age, we also use the Az buki srpski textbook developed by the Azbukum Center for Serbian Language Studies. The textbook is accompanied by video materials available through an online platform, which families can use for additional practice at home.

A special part of the program is dedicated to early literacy development and introducing both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets through age-appropriate activities designed to help children learn with joy and confidence, without pressure.

Through a variety of activities, children develop speaking skills, vocabulary, storytelling, reading comprehension, critical thinking, attention, memory, a love for literature and culture, as well as their first reading and writing skills in Cyrillic.

Children who confidently speak Serbian attend classes independently (although parents are always welcome). If a child primarily understands Serbian but responds in English (or another language), or if the child is still developing basic comprehension, the presence of one parent or another adult family member is required. This allows us to encourage active communication between the child and the adult and create additional opportunities for the child to use Serbian naturally and confidently.

Parent support remains an important part of the program. One class per week can provide a valuable foundation, but without daily conversations, shared reading, and natural use of Serbian at home, progress remains limited. That is why we provide parents with practical guidance, recommendations, and materials to help them continue supporting their child’s language development outside the classroom.

The program includes carefully selected works from classic Serbian children’s literature, high-quality translations of international children’s literature, and original texts adapted to the children’s age and developmental stage. Through stories, songs, sound and letter games, language activities, and creative projects, children gradually become familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet, develop phonological awareness, and gain their first reading and writing skills. The goal of the program is not simply for children to learn letters, but to develop a positive relationship with reading and writing in Serbian.

Each week, families receive a “talking activity” that encourages shared reading and conversation at home, along with short activities for practicing reading, writing, and other early literacy skills.

Classes take place in a small group of no more than 10 children and are led by two members of our teaching team. The small group size allows for meaningful conversation, individualized support, and rich peer interaction, ensuring that every child has opportunities to speak, ask questions, tell stories, and build confidence using Serbian.

For this age group, individual class registration is not available. Children at this stage are already involved in many regular activities, and in order to offer families a meaningful alternative, we must also provide the continuity that is essential for progress and language development.