How We Learn
We believe that early learning experiences are very important to children's growth and development. We will encourage imagination, discovery and enrichment.
While attending, your child will participate in a variety of learning activities, arts and crafts, dramatic play, structured play, imaginative and free play, circle time, singing, reading and storytelling, outdoor and large motor play. Whenever possible, appropriate choices will be given to children.
Seasonal themes, holidays and current interests are incorporated into our program through a natural learning process, which works very well for curious young minds.
Here’s a great example of how this works:
Utilizing a variety of resources including our extensive library, we focus on Apples.
We build on that theme and by the time we’re finished we have:
• Researched and tasted different types of apples
• Examined and identified parts of an apple
• Cooked homemade applesauce
• Worked on letter recognition with apple themed games
• Made homemade cinnamon apple playdough
• Counted and sorted with apple manipulatives
• Read several fiction and non-fiction books about apples
• Collected apples from our apple trees
• Told the story of Johnny Appleseed
• Engaged in apple themed large motor games
• Created process art projects inspired by apples
• Discussed pollination and the life cycle of apple trees
Indoor Play
We have a large, clean playroom full of open-ended toys to keep children engaged. We provide different play areas and materials such as construction, dramatic play, STEAM, music and more.
During our indoor play time, children may do puzzles, play house, build with legos, create art, use play dough, dress up and so much more! Children are able to work individually and play in groups, choosing which areas interest them.
Frequent opportunities for large motor activities include an indoor play structure, yoga, gymnastics, dance and games.
Outdoor Play
We are very grateful to be near a forest, which is an excellent environment for nature walks and scavenger hunts. It also provides a natural toy box full of wildflowers, twigs, acorns, leaves, grass and dirt, which spark imaginations. We have frequent visits from deer, rabbits, squirrels, birds, butterflies and frogs, too!
We also have a garden where the kids are active in planting, caring for, harvesting, preparing and eating the vegetables we grow. We collect and enjoy fruit from our apple trees and raspberry bushes as well.
In addition, children are provided with several high quality play structures including slides, swings and climbers for different age groups along with plenty of room to run. We also have a playhouse, sand table, basketball hoop, balance bikes, ride on cars, chalk and bubbles as well as seasonal items such as insect viewers, rakes, sleds and shovels.
