Class Activities
Circle Time
In circle time, children develop language skills by learning songs and finger plays, and practicing the alphabet. They build conversation skills by sharing personal experiences, which bolsters their self-esteem as they learn to be part of a group. They also grow in patience and attention as we read stories together, letting them connect to their imaginations and to the wider world.
Learning Centers
Our classroom and outdoor space are organized into centers to provide a wide array of learning choices for our children.
Centers include:
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Dramatic Play: area with costumes, kitchen sets, a work bench, and baby dolls with cradles. This area also includes a nook for changed out spaces in our community such as an office, vet center, or even a hair salon!
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Building Area: Materials for children to create such as duplos, wooden blocks, magnet tiles, plastic animals.
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Sensory Table: pouring, filling, exploring materials such as water, pompoms, shredded paper, etc. that rotates through different activities corresponding to our learning units
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Book Nook: for quiet reading (or pre-reading)
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Exploration: Area for exploring materials such as rocks, sea shells, light using tools such as magnifying glasses
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Puzzles/Games/Finger Fun: materials to support fine motor skills and learning readiness
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Art: daily access to rotating materials on art easles
Music and Art
Music and art are a vital part of being human, and are tremendously important for young children.
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Our daily music sessions follow an intentional "energy wave" We start by building our energy through active movement and rhythm, then gradually slow down tempo, we provide a meaningful framework for children to practice self-regulation and body awareness.
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Children explore:
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Learning and singing songs
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Tonal patterns and rhythm
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Trying out different musical instruments
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Listening to music
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Practicing silence​
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We include art for developing creative expression in our daily routine as well:
Our daily art experiences for students intentionally balance structured craft projects with open ended process art to nurture every aspect of creative expression. While crafts help children practice following multi-step directions and building fine motor skills, process art invites them to explore materials freely, prioritizing the joy of discovery over a specific final product.
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Children explore:
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Painting easels and drawing table rotating mediums such as watercolors, colored pencils, dot markers, crayons, tissue paper and glue for free-play time
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Daily art projects and process art
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An art show in the spring showcasing the children's work!
Language and Culture Exploration
Preschoolers are at a perfect age to learn languages. Even if they don't live in a multi-lingual household, young children exposed to phonemes (the sounds that make up words) from other languages can learn foreign languages more easily later on.
In our classes, children are playfully introduced to world languages such as Spanish and French. Rather than formal lessons, we naturally weaves basic vocabulary, number counting, and greetings and expressions of gratitude- including those from indigenous languages-into our active songs, dances, and stories. This interactive exposure builds early communication tools and a joyful appreciation for different cultures. We also practice ASL (American Sign Language) finger-spelling and signs.
Exploring the Outdoors
We have picnic tables and play centers in our fenced playground that we can use when the weather is conducive to outside learning. Students enjoy exploring equipment such as bikes, trucks, shovels, and a mud kitchen with friends during this time! We end each day with playground play.
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We also like to go on nature walks around the church grounds, looking for signs of the seasons, plants, and animals. We enjoy using different senses to learn new things about the outdoors!
Moving Our Bodies
Even when we cannot go outdoors, we make sure to move our bodies! We have indoor recess in the large round room in the church building. We explore obstacle courses, parachutes, tents, balance beams, and special indoor recess toys. We also incorporate active songs and games, and movement inspired by yoga in our indoor class time.
