Preschool

We believe that all areas of development – social-emotional, physical, and cognitive – are equally important and interrelated. We use a developmental continuum framework and skill set list to guide us in preparing the learning environment, planning classroom experiences, teaching, and interacting with our students. Our teachers build on the natural curiosities of young children and their interests while incorporating areas such as literacy, science, mathematics, creative expression, and the arts.

A day in the Preschool can include story circles, morning and afternoon snack, large and small group meetings, outdoor play, music and creative movement class, block-building, games, painting, drawing, writing, reading, and problem-solving. Our classroom materials are selected to encourage inquiry and exploration.

We support social and emotional development by establishing a caring and nurturing relationship with each child. Class projects and meetings build classroom community and serve as an introduction to working together with peers. Through these interactions, children are supported as they navigate through solving everyday conflicts that arise. Modeling appropriate responses to conflicts, giving children the language to use, and explaining how to work through problems is at the core of our teaching. Our goal is for children to leave Francis Parker Preschool with strategies on how to solve problems and with a positive self-concept. Building strong connections with peers and supporting each child’s developing independence is the heart of our work with children.

An integral part of each child’s day is devoted to play, either in a group setting or independently. Such play experiences are considered “hands-on learning” and are designed to tap into each child’s sense of curiosity to promote discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and healthy brain development.

Play has many benefits, including supporting physical growth, language acquisition, increased confidence, and the practice of social skills. Children are naturally curious about the world around them and are eager to learn and practice the skills they have developed through play.

The Preschool has a dedicated Music and Creative Movement specialist teacher. Our specialist uses the Orff-Schulwerk Method, which is a developmental approach to teaching musical concepts through clapping, rhymes, dance and poetry. Children are introduced to a variety of pitched and unpitched percussive instruments, such as the triangle, drums, shakers, and boomwhackers. We hold seasonal community sing-a-longs / performance opportunities for Preschool students and their families. Our Creative Movement classes focus on physical coordination. Through the use of materials such as: hula hoops, bean bags, tunnels, and balls, children are able to play games that build upon their gross motor skills and self-awareness.

Our natural playground provides an outdoor experience that encourages and supports a connection with nature. This outdoor playscape is a dedicated one-acre natural playground where children can slide, climb, roll down a hill, observe insects, and run with friends.

Our playground includes garden boxes that encourage investigations and observations of plant growth and insect life. We enjoy seasonal visits from the school’s garden coordinator to help us plant vegetables and flowers, and introduce us to the different animals that live on our campus.