In PreSchool/PreKindergarten, children build upon their existing knowledge (schema) and their vocabulary while developing a true love of books. The children learn to interact with books: listening, contributing meaningfully to book discussions, and beginning to share personal connections with stories. We review proper book care and regard books as invaluable learning tools. Children in PreSchool/PreKindergarten are also exposed to phonemic awareness activities and skills as they are ready. Children move through a natural progression of acquiring letter names/sounds and the motor patterning of capital letters using the Handwriting Without Tears program. Through individualized instruction, children receive lessons based on the skills they are working on. PreSchool/PreKindergarteners are also exposed to a beginning format of Writing Workshop where, in the second semester, they draw and write small “stories” that are meaningful to them. We encourage inventive spelling and labeling as the children are ready. The most important part of language arts development in PreSchool/PreKindergarten is that it is all based on each child’s own pace and readiness.

In PreSchool/PreKindergarten, the children continue their exploration of Mandarin through greetings, songs, and movement activities. The students enjoy an interactive class that incorporates hands-on learning and vocabulary acquisition. The children are exposed to Mandarin children’s books and begin to develop an appreciation of Chinese culture by learning about traditions and celebrations.

In math, PreSchool/PreKindergarteners build upon basic number concepts. The children work on building number sense and have many opportunities to count, identify numerals, and practice 1:1 correspondence. Individualized lessons meet each child where they are in their understanding of math concepts and as children are ready to advance, we are able to move them along. Also important in PreSchool/PreKindergarten math is the focus on other concepts like shapes, measuring, graphs, sorting by attributes puzzles, visual discrimination, and problem solving activities. In addition, we incorporate math concepts into our daily activities - we may paint different shapes, measure objects in the classroom, or bake as a class. The recognition and writing of numbers are also enhanced through the Handwriting Without Tears program.

Curious children, dedicated teachers, and experiential learning make up the essence of our early childhood program. Our program is based on a developmental approach to education. As teachers, we strive to instill a passion for learning in our youngest students. Our children are given every opportunity for exploratory activities that foster creativity, self-expression, problem-solving, and the development of those important first friendships. We support social-emotional learning and development in the classroom. Children learn to develop a sense of self in a nurturing environment. Our teachers give extreme care to establish a classroom that is warm, safe, and one that celebrates the whole child. Learning and play are linked in our classroom. Play is meaningful and intrinsically motivated. We know that children learn through play. Through a combination of individual, small and whole group lessons, combined with meaningful play experiences, children learn about the world around them.

Thematic studies support our learning and provide an outlet for our interests in the content areas of science, social studies, and art. Thematic units are largely based on children’s curiosities; their own interests drive our curriculum. Through read-alouds, hands-on activities, and student-led discoveries, children are able to learn about a variety of topics.

In PreSchool/PreKindergarten, science is a big focus in the classroom since the children are so interested in learning about how things work. We continue to develop their observational skills through the senses and learn how a scientist would approach a question or a topic of interest. Children develop an awareness of the natural environment and our responsibility to protect it through experiential learning. PreKindergarteners further their study on growing and gardening throughout the year with the use of our outdoor Learning Garden as well as our indoor, hydroponic Tower Garden. The PreKindergarten class also delves further into science inquiries that are child-centered and developmentally appropriate with various units on beginning engineering, chemistry, forces, animals and more.

The world language program in Lower School includes classes in Chinese Mandarin (PreSchool, PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and grade 1), Spanish (grades 2–4), and Latin (grades 5–6). In the younger grades, children learn basic vocabulary and grammar as well as the culture and traditions of countries where the target language is spoken.  Fifth and sixth graders are introduced to Latin and the Roman world through Unit 1 of the Cambridge Latin Course.