Kindergarten
What Do We Offer Children in Kindergarten?
Click here to view a slide show of the Early Childhood program.
The Kindergarten is a lively bridge between the preschool and first grade. Five year-olds are awakening to the world around them with exuberance, humor, strong emotions and opinions, and the urge to express themselves by talking, moving, drawing, writing, counting, and playing - sometimes all at once! It is an exciting time to be alive.
Though most five year-olds are ready for a full day experience, some families may choose a morning-only program. In our experience, at some point during the year, children will want to be part of the full day experience. At that time, a conference that includes the teacher and parents will determine the best path to transition into a full day program, giving attention to the needs of the child and the class as a whole.
Because the world includes other people, a significant amount of time and attention is devoted to helping children communicate with others. Seeing the Light in ourselves and others is modeled and practiced. Safety, kindness, and friendship are modeled and practiced again and again. We listen and model language the children can use to express their needs with respect for self and others, and we help children listen to each other.
One important class focus is helping children develop a sense of place through immersion in nature and in the communities of which we are a part. Spending time in a natural setting on the island leads to richly extended and often imaginative units of study that involve asking and recording questions, finding resources to look up information, using art to making representations of what is being learned, experimenting, and conversing. The reverence and excitement generated builds a sense of stewardship that we hope lasts a lifetime.
Role-play, fantasy, and creativity are alive and well, both inside and out. When children use a large log on the beach as their own horse or boat, they help their minds develop in wonderful ways. Inside, props, puppets, and art materials are available for children to stretch imaginatively. Storytelling arises and writing is suddenly contagious.
Since the best preparation for children's continued school success is meeting them at their current stage of development, not starting the work of older children sooner, we embed "school learning" in play. Teachers introduce new learning from all the disciplines of school - language and literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music, and movement. As in the preschool, the agenda may be more evident to the teachers than to the children. Teachers carefully observe students for signals that they are each ready to be nudged forward while offering a program that is enriching and motivating. By the end of kindergarten, children will know letters and numbers, and have had writing, reading and problem-solving experiences geared to their readiness.
Parents are important partners in their child's kindergarten experience, with regular communication encouraged and welcomed. The relaxed morning drop-off time and pick-up in the afternoon lend themselves to frequent checking in. Email, notes, and conferences are other important avenues.
DAILY SCHEDULE
The daily schedule is predictable, but flexible. Children are neither rushed not delayed by a clock. All times, except 8:45, 12:00, and 3:00 are approximate.
8:00 - 8:45 Gathering outside. Children may arrive at any time within this window, and parents are welcome to stay and talk or play until it is time to go inside.
9:00 - 10:00 Learning centers. Children are invited to explore appropriate materials introducing math and literacy skills. Children also explore materials to foster creativity and sensory discovery.
10:00 - 10:30 Snack
10:30 - 10:50 Active outdoor play and recess.
10:50 - 12:00 Outdoor adventure. This is a time of free exploration outside. We explore different areas of the island. We spend enough time at each location for children to find their own special places.
12:00 Pick up for morning program children.
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 Transition time into quiet/nap time. We enjoy stories, singing, or soft movement, such as yoga.
1:00 - 1:30 Quiet or nap time
1:30 - 2:30 Free exploration inside. Many materials are available for imaginative and creative play. Art supplies, puzzles, books, tools, and life skills activities are also available, and teacher will assist as required, but leave the children to do their own explorations for the most part. Teachers observe and record. During this time, we may expand our space to include the preschool room, and may even be outside. This is an ideal time for children to draw and dictate their stories.
Specials come at different times on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and include art, music, and physical education.
3:00 Prompt pick-up for those children not staying for Aftercare.
There is a multi-age Aftercare Program that goes from 3:00 to 5:30pm.
Mondays and Fridays differ slightly. There is an all-school meeting for worship on Monday morning from 8:25 - 8:45. Children who arrive at 8:20 will be brought to meeting by the teachers. Late arrivals may join the meeting with their parents, who are always welcome to attend at any time. Friday has an early dismissal for the whole school. Students not going to Aftercare should be picked up promptly at 1:45.
