Typical Daily Schedule
Rain or shine, we spend most of our day outside!
For a part of the day and in the depths of winter, we get cozy in our sweet indoor classroom located on the lower level of Director|Teacher Seniz’s home in a beautiful space used exclusively for our preschool class.
8:45AM - Arrival
9:00AM - 9:30AM - Explorations/Free Play
9:30AM - 9:45AM - Morning Circle/Daily Invitation
9:45AM - 10:00AM - Story and Snack
10:00AM - 10:45AM - Daily Activity/Free Play
(transition to indoors)
11:00AM - 11:15AM - Group Movement | Daily Art Inspo
11:15AM - 12PM - Indoor Play/Art
12PM - Lunch
12:30PM- Pick Up
Daily Rhythms
Morning Circle/Daily Invitation
Circle Time is an opportunity to connect as a classroom community. During morning circle teachers gauge the mood of the group and understand how each child is feeling, which allows us to determine what path to take that day. During this time, children are encouraged to share ideas and reflections with the group and a new material or invitation is introduced to the children. This community time is honored as a very intentional space to share stories, build culture and create a rich practice of listening and connection.
Explorations | Free Play
Outdoor play provides a unique array of invitations and learning opportunities. During outdoor and indoor free play we practice a Playworking approach. During this time children:
-explore their own interests and curiosities
-take risks and encounter challenge
-problem solve
-practice social interactions with peers
-connect to the natural environment around them
-use loose parts and work with classmates to bring big ideas to life
During free play, we intentionally have minimal interaction with the children. We observe them closely and step in to gently guide when needed. We intervene when it becomes clear children don’t have the ability to navigate social interactions, or if their play enters a level of risk that is physically/emotionally unsafe. When we do step in, it is to offer tools to successfully navigate the challenge at hand. Children decide what happens next with the guidance of a trusted adult. Sharing this responsibility and freedom helps build confidence and resilience. Children learn that if they did it once, they can do it again.
Loose Parts are an essential variable in our environment. They increase the variety and level of play experiences such as social, constructive, symbolic, dramatic, and exploratory play. The more flexible the materials and environment are, the more opportunity for creative experimentation.
Social Emotional
Since this is the age when children start to understand who they are, what they are feeling and what to expect when interacting with others we focus on learning how to form and sustain positive relationships as well as understand, manage and express emotions. Building a positive and inclusive classroom environment. We promote self-awareness and self-regulation skills, focus on social skills and building empathy, encourage problem-solving and decision making abilities, spend time as a community listening and practicing cooperative activities.
Self Help
Throughout the school day, we encourage children to do things independently. From getting their outdoor gear on and off, to using zippers, hand washing, hanging up jackets, cleaning up play areas and eventually classroom jobs. Children are encouraged to do things themselves to support development of self help skills through repetition, building their sense of self-confidence and independence.
Art Insperation
We create daily opportunities for process-based art, experimenting with materials, and authentically kid-created work. Teachers do a simple demonstration of new materials being very intentionally open-ended, keep their hands off children’s art so that each creation remains completely unique and expressive of the individual. Art is play! We use art to measure developmental stages as well as to see if they can be a famous artist one day. JK.
In the spring we have an art showing.
We use this chart as a guideline for extreme weather safety.
Click on image for more detailed info.
