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The Preschool is a group of eighteen to twenty almost-three to five year-olds. Most children stay for two years before moving on to Kindergarten. The room is staffed with three experienced teachers all of whom hold degrees in human development or early childhood education. A primary goal in the Preschool is to provide a warm, supportive environment that encourages children to explore their world, gain self-esteem and flourish in a social setting. The program is centered on play, which serves as an important medium for growth in all aspects of development. |
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Because preschoolers learn through active exploration and interactions, we provide many opportunities for them to touch, manipulate and explore a variety of materials that are concrete and relevant to their lives. The classroom has a dramatic play loft area, a large block area, a communication area, book nook, and art easels. By carefully observing interests and abilities, we offer an array of open-ended materials in all of these areas to provoke further experimentation and deeper inquiry.
Learning how to cooperate, negotiate, and assert oneself appropriately is a large part of preschool learning. Using the touchpoint of kindness, we emphasize social-emotional skill development, including self-regulation and conflict resolution strategies. Our child-directed free play sessions allow children the time and space to practice the critical executive function skills -- planning, remembering, focusing, adapting -- that underlie learning.
Our block area, book area, and communication areas allow us the ability to expand upon language, early literacy and mathematical skills. Storytelling and story reading permeate the classroom, happening both formally and informally every day. In addition, preschoolers dictate their own stories throughout the year that their classmates act out.
Learning how to cooperate, negotiate, and assert oneself appropriately is a large part of preschool learning. Using the touchpoint of kindness, we emphasize social-emotional skill development, including self-regulation and conflict resolution strategies. Our child-directed free play sessions allow children the time and space to practice the critical executive function skills -- planning, remembering, focusing, adapting -- that underlie learning.
Our block area, book area, and communication areas allow us the ability to expand upon language, early literacy and mathematical skills. Storytelling and story reading permeate the classroom, happening both formally and informally every day. In addition, preschoolers dictate their own stories throughout the year that their classmates act out.
