Program Description
Philosophy
Our preschool is primarily play-based, while we integrate good practices of other philosophies.
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who thought that children learn best through play. His methods are commonly called "hands-on," "center-based" or "theme-based" learning. While we do use a curriculum product from Mother Goose Time to add on "Academic" component, we feel it is secondary to a child-directed learning experience that the play-based philosophy embraces.
Our classroom is arranged in a purposeful way, since we consider the environment as a "teacher" for child-directed learning. For this, the principles of "The Creative Curriculum" were used to establish "centers" around the classroom and preschool. The classroom is organized into 7 interest areas - Blocks, Dramatic Play, Math & Manipulatives, Music & Movement, Library & Literacy, Science & Discovery, and Writing/Pre-Writing. (Another 3 interest areas, located within the school, are Sand & Water, Art, and Outdoors.)
We hope to instill in your child a joyful start to learning that lasts a lifetime.
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who thought that children learn best through play. His methods are commonly called "hands-on," "center-based" or "theme-based" learning. While we do use a curriculum product from Mother Goose Time to add on "Academic" component, we feel it is secondary to a child-directed learning experience that the play-based philosophy embraces.
Our classroom is arranged in a purposeful way, since we consider the environment as a "teacher" for child-directed learning. For this, the principles of "The Creative Curriculum" were used to establish "centers" around the classroom and preschool. The classroom is organized into 7 interest areas - Blocks, Dramatic Play, Math & Manipulatives, Music & Movement, Library & Literacy, Science & Discovery, and Writing/Pre-Writing. (Another 3 interest areas, located within the school, are Sand & Water, Art, and Outdoors.)
We hope to instill in your child a joyful start to learning that lasts a lifetime.
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A quote from the book "Teach Your Child Well: Parenting for Authentic Success" by Madeline Levine, Ph.D.:
Despite popular opinion, more and earlier is not better. Kids learn on Mother Nature's timetable. When we try to rush their natural development, we take away the time and experiences they need to do what comes naturally at each age. Allowing children to learn at their own pace serves them far better than trying to force-feed them knowledge before they are ready to grasp it. Studies show that kids enrolled in academic based-preschools actually tend to fall behind their peers who attend play-based preschools by the fourth grade." |
Enrichment
We currently offer the following enrichment activities (they are subject to change):
- Community Helper Visits (Police, etc)
- Japanese Story & Culture Class
- Librarian Visits
- Music & Motion Class
- "My Big World" Scholastic Activity
- Multi-Language Sing-Alongs
- Spanish Storytime
- Ceramics Workshops
- Dance Class
School Year 2022 - 23 Curriculum Plan
TeachersThe program is led by a California-State-credentialed Master Teacher (Site Supervisor). She is supported by 2 full-time teachers.
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Ages, Group Size, and Teacher-Children Ratio
Our class consists of 12 children at maximum, ages from 2.5 to 5 years old (a mixed-age group). The Teacher-Children ratio is low (usually 1:4 with a maximum of 1:6), and it affords a high-level of personal attention.
Daily Schedule (General Guideline)
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