Early Learners
Preschool & Pre-K

Language development is not only an important aspect of social development but is the foundation for all learning.  Students learn oral language first, which provides them with the foundation of sounds, words, sentences, and vocabulary they need to start developing phonological awareness. Students learn to communicate their ideas and feelings effectively and to accurately interpret the communications they receive. Three, four, and five year olds frequently initiate conversations but still need to practice basic rules of conversation. They are developing abilities to communicate their wants and needs, work successfully with peers in cooperative learning activities, present personal experiences before a group, and ask/answer related questions.

Early Learners are engaged in a language-rich environment that offers pre-reading and pre-writing activities to develop a strong literacy foundation. Important components of early childhood literacy development include learning concepts of print and book handling skills, the alphabetic principle, and sound-symbol correspondence. Through read-alouds, responses to literature, emergent writing, independent time with books, games and songs, students’ knowledge and use of reading and writing skills grow throughout the year.  Emergent writing is when children begin to understand that writing has meaning and their marks convey a message. Students practice fine motor skills, pencil grip, letter formation, and dictating stories as the foundation of writing. The use of music, conversational language, developmentally appropriate literature, games, and real-world applications help students find enjoyment in language and develop a lifelong appreciation for literature and love of reading.

The foundation of cognitive development addresses knowledge and skill competencies that are interwoven and developed together as children explore and experiment in the world around them.  Cognitive development represents an early understanding of mathematical reasoning and problem solving.  Focusing on mathematics, children explore number knowledge, patterns, size, and the relationship between objects and space. In this domain, children explore cause-and-effect relationships, spatial reasoning, problem solving, imitation, memory, number sense (rote counting, 1:1 correspondence, conservation of number, numeral recognition), classification, symbolic play, attention maintenance, and understanding of personal care routines. In early childhood, executive function skills include focusing on multiple streams of information, following directions, monitoring errors, and making and revising decisions.The acquisition of these skills enables children to plan and act in meaningful ways.

Through inquiry, children observe, explore, and experience the world around them. As natural investigators, children’s understanding and ability to discuss, debate, think critically, and solve problems deepens with varied experiences and time.  This includes offering topics of study that focus on child interest, social context, real-world situations, and current events connecting learning to authentic, engaging learning experiences.  Science exploration is rooted in investigation through the senses, hands-on activities and experiments, and place-based studies. Through social studies, children make sense of the social and physical environments around them.  Basic social understanding begins with self and family and then expands to early education through school and community as children meet new friends, learn to get along with others, share opinions, make decisions, contribute to a group, ask questions about social systems and societal norms, and learn values of human relationships through inclusive and caring communities.

Affective development informs every aspect of the teaching and learning processes.  Students work to develop social awareness and competence and emotional regulation through guided resolution and support from adults.  Play is a major vehicle for affective development as students learn skills including how to express themselves, identify emotions, navigate conflict, develop empathy, and exercise self-control. Classroom teachers work with students to model healthy responses to conflict in calm and peaceful ways. Students also learn about the school environment and how to conform to limits in play, identifying acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Sense of self and positive self-image are fostered as students learn about their important role in the classroom, community, and the world.

Students build an awareness of beauty and form through experiences with nature and the arts. Students engage with the arts through integrated exposures, hands-on application, and playful practice with each discipline including visual art, music, dance, and dramatic play. Basic elements of each discipline are explored and contribute to the rich environment and appreciation of beauty.  Each aesthetic discipline is used to enhance and explore other domains. Communication, connection, and culture are investigated through the arts and their ties to thematic and emergent curricular units.

Overall wellness is key to exploration and growth. This incorporates not only gross and fine motor physical development, but also mindfulness and beneficial health habits. Time outdoors, physical activity, and basic knowledge of the human body are key to encouraging positive mental health. In this domain, children explore foundational functions of the human body, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and how to navigate both physical and mental health awareness. Children will explore mindfulness activities that incorporate both body and mind regulation techniques that can be utilized in and out of the classroom. Through active learning and play, students will engage in activities that create meaning for personal growth.

In Early Learners, faculty carefully choose to implement technology when appropriate to enhance growth and development. When utilized, technology is integrated within a play-based and student-centered approach as part of an active, hands-on educational experience that supports student learning. Effective technology tools connect on-screen and off-screen activities with an emphasis on co-viewing and co-participation between teachers, students, and peers rather than passive content consumption.