Our philosophy is primarily play-based with structured activities. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. Our preschoolers are encouraged to learn through play with our lessons, this is how children learn to figure out how things work and express themselves creatively thus building self-esteem. We incorporate lessons that are enhanced with real-world connections through our theme based projects and lots and lots of hands on learning. This approach encourages skill application and positive learning habits by making learning fun and self-motivating. Our program instills curiosity and teaches them to want to learn more.
Our children learn how to play together in small groups, learn cooperation and communication skills. We are child led in many of our lessons and have hands on team. What you can expect with a play based program.
- Play-based preschool classrooms are set up in sections, usually having a kitchen area, a play house, a reading nook, a sensory table, a block area, etc. Much of the class time is made up of free-choice centers, where children go to one of these areas in the classroom and “play”.
- We incorporate academic skills through theme-based activities and may add theme-based props to classroom learning centers.
- The main goal is to develop social and emotional skills by teacher modeling.
- The teacher acts as a facilitator of learning rather than a lecturer of direct instruction.
- Students’ progress is monitored by their participation in hands-on activities and observational assessments, not by worksheets and drills.
- Play-based classrooms are more about the process of learning and are less concerned about the product. Teachers work hard to create an atmosphere of discovery, exploration and appropriate risk-taking.