Our Classroom
Our classroom is spacious and well-organized, with several stations for smaller groups to engage and play, yet with open sight lines ideal for supervision. The children are given room to build relationships independently, with a teacher always near at hand in case help is needed. The area is arranged to facilitate safe and seamless flow from one activity to the next, and its large footprint is especially ideal in this season of social distancing. New windows create a bright and cheerful atmosphere, in addition to allowing for extra fresh air circulation when the children are inside.
Block Center
An extensive array of wooden blocks stimulate the children’s imaginations while encouraging cooperative play. Block play hones fine motor skills, proprioception (the sense of where one’s body is in space) and vestibular sensation (one’s sense of balance). These are important precursors for many tasks, from mastering handwriting to playing sports.
Art Easels
The opportunity for artistic expression (and the space to get messy at the same time!) is amply provided for here. In addition to guided art projects that augment the various learning themes throughout the year, there are daily opportunities for the children to create freely using their own vision.
The Library Center
Science Center
Sensory play with materials such as sand, beans, or soapy water gives children the tactile stimulation that preschoolers adore. The toys used in the sand and water tables vary according to the classroom themes, as do the objects on display. A fish tank allows the children to not only care for animals in the classroom, but it also offers a front row seat to witness the metamorphosis of tadpoles into adult frogs in the spring.
Circle Time Center
The heart of the morning is circle time, when the children and teachers gather to sing and greet one another. As each theme is explored, the teachers select several related texts— both fiction and non-fiction—to be read at circle time and during free play. In addition, an extensive library of high quality children’s books are available for home lending.
Dramatic Play Center
The cornerstone of a preschooler’s emerging play and socialization skills, dramatic play engages a child’s imagination, builds relationships with others, encourages turn taking and presents opportunities to understand the world around them and their place in it. Whether pretending to be at the post office, in a restaurant or a member of a family, in this dramatic play area children’s creativity and cooperation really shine.
