Curriculum Focus

Our play-based curriculum is centered on honoring the children’s interests and supporting their exploration of the world.  Through adult scaffolding, students are encouraged to observe, experiment and reflect on their interactions with the people and materials around them.  Teacher to student ratio is 1:6. Every student receives high quality care and support in their learning experience. In opposition to rigorous academic drills, we allow children to develop an intrinsic love for learning and genuine interest in their child-led studies.  Although educational models before our time relied on strict teacher directives, science now tells us that the basic building blocks of brain development occur through organic play and interactions with the world re-enforced through the support of loving mentors.  Our school celebrates every child in each stage of development and allows them to progress at their natural pace.  

We provide students the tools they need to navigate social and emotional development, allowing them to develop healthy and positive relationships.  Emotional intelligence enables children to develop empathy, self-regulation, negotiation skills and the ability to delay gratification.

As health educators, we provide students the time and space to move their bodies and engage in healthy risk taking by challenging their physical strength and coordination.  With a large outdoor space to run, play and explore, children will spend time outside everyday regardless of the weather.

Pedagogy

Reggio Emilia is a pedagogy which influences our curriculum focus.  This approach is student-centered, experiential learning in a relationship building community. It focuses on principals of respect and responsibility through exploration and discovery.  We honor each child’s developing personality and their expression of ideas.

Daily Activities:

With a strong focus on nature and the arts, we provide provocations that will lead children to paint, draw, sculpt, dramatize, dance, play instruments, garden, experiment, observe and connect with the natural world.   Content areas including language, literacy and math are artfully weaved in to the daily routine.  Below is a glimpse of how these activities are accommodated.

 Preschool Explorers: Ages 3 – 6 years

Art/Music:  Create rhythm and beat with instruments, painting with tools, drawing symbols and depictions, dancing to musical interests,  stage performances.

Nature/Science:  Gardening and harvesting in food forest, climbing trees, studying animals, insects, life cycles, seasons, using loose nature parts as manipulatives.

Movement:   Field games, climbing, tumbling, balancing, eye-hand coordination. Animal yoga poses. Learning to ride balance bikes and pedal bikes.

Social/Emotional: Developing friendships, practicing material sharing, negotiation, acknowledging feelings, empathy, independence in self-care.