Classroom descriptions
The two-day class Tuesday Thursday
The Tuesday Thursday class is normally the youngest group where children least 2.9 years are placed. This class is about learning the ins and outs of preschool. It is a time for the children to explore with a wide variety of learning tools in a relaxed instructional atmosphere. It is to help them build their comfort level, to be away from their primary caretaker and among peers. It is a place to build friendships and learn about how to deal with conflict. It is an introduction into the routines and rules that happen at school. It is casually structured based on the needs of the students and is a place to build stamina, increase independence, learn to share, take turns, and care about others. But mostly it is the first step in teaching children to love learning. In this class they will play with many different toys, create independently, explore the environment, learn songs and fingerplays, and begin to take direction from adults other than their parents.
The Tuesday Thursday class is normally the youngest group where children least 2.9 years are placed. This class is about learning the ins and outs of preschool. It is a time for the children to explore with a wide variety of learning tools in a relaxed instructional atmosphere. It is to help them build their comfort level, to be away from their primary caretaker and among peers. It is a place to build friendships and learn about how to deal with conflict. It is an introduction into the routines and rules that happen at school. It is casually structured based on the needs of the students and is a place to build stamina, increase independence, learn to share, take turns, and care about others. But mostly it is the first step in teaching children to love learning. In this class they will play with many different toys, create independently, explore the environment, learn songs and fingerplays, and begin to take direction from adults other than their parents.
The three-day class Monday Wednesday and Friday
The age range of the 3-day class is typically at least 3.9 as of September unless they are going to repeat one of the classes. The three-day class is where we increase everything; step it up so to speak. The circle times are longer and more in depth, we read longer stories, ask more complex questions, take on more responsibilities with jobs, build upon the friendships that have begun to form, and take the next step towards kindergarten readiness. We don’t just show them science we discuss the process or ideas behind our experiments. We spend time writing our names at the writing table (those letters at our cubbies and on all our papers begin to make sense and give us ownership). We work on sounding out more words at circle and focus on repetition of the words. We take turns when we speak and learn to raise our hands. We get better at listening, keeping our hands to ourselves, following complex directions, and increase our listening skills.
The five-day class
The five-day class is for children that miss the cutoff date for kindergarten by a few months, or parents seeking five-day care as long as the child is developmentally ready for this placement. Our main goal is to try to provide the children with the proper fit for care for a successful school year. This class like the three day is all about preparing the children for kindergarten. We increase their independence skills, problem solving skills, self-regulation, and attention span. They are able to make observations, predictions, ask questions, and share their own unique experiences and ideas. They are independent, self-sufficient taking care of most of their belongings and needs and they certainly take pride in their accomplishments.
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