Curriculum

Our curriculum generally follows the turning of the seasons with particular attention to nature and the magic of the world around us. We incorporate several modes through which the children immerse themselves in each of our thoughtful choices of songs, stories, special projects and play materials. These components are: contemplative, embodiment, art, science, humanities and movement.

Joyful Discipline

We want all children to be familiar with the freedom and confidence that come from a joyful sense of discipline. This freedom and joy comes from being responsible for one’s actions, from seeing activities through from beginning to end, and from having the ability to be self-contained. We want children to experience self-discipline not as tedious, but as a practice that provides opportunities for them to be independent and to make their own choices.

Meaningful Experiences

Play is children’s work. Children are natural learners and are intrinsically motivated toward discovery. Through a play-based curriculum, children can be lead towards experiences that will deepen and expand their sense of meaning in the world. Children are given the space to observe, wander, and take in the environment without being pressured to constantly engage in activities.

Comfort With Diversity

Different people have different ways of thinking, different abilities, values, personalities, styles, preferences, choices, strengths, and weaknesses. We want children to understand that there are many ways of being in the world, and to be comfortable with these differences. We welcome each other’s qualities, including those that are difficult and encourage children to explore all they are, as well as embrace the differences of others.

Compassion and Loving Kindness for All Beings

Children are naturally connected to their hearts and therefore able to connect deeply to others. We actively encourage this quality by allowing the children the opportunity to connect with each other in happy times and sad times, by being conscious of and kind towards the other creatures around us, and by maintaining an atmosphere of respect and dignity in the environment. We honor this sense of compassion as the diamond of all qualities and the heart of all we do.

Daily Routine

Children feel confident and proud when they know what will happen next. Routines give children a sense of safety and mastery. Instead of things happening to them, they are part of what happens, and they are bolstered when they can take the lead. As such, we follow the same routine everyday. However, flexibility for children and teachers is a lifelong skill. In the big picture, we hold boundaries and structure, but within these there is space for fluidity, change, improvisation. Things do not always go as planned, and we model adapting to the moment. Our big picture routine looks like this:

8:30am

• Arrival, entry and free-play
• Circle Time
• Snack
• Free play outside (weather permitting) and special curriculum projects, manipulatives, dramatic free play indoors
• Story Ring & Lunch
• ½ day pickup
• Rest for full day children
• Free play
• Yoga
• Closing Circle

3:00pm Pickup