Morning Welcome and Chores

Children participate in caring for their classroom by stowing their belongings, watering plants, and setting the table for Snack.

Transition to Outdoor Activities

After a few minutes of sensory movement games indoors, the class moves outdoors with both child-initiated and teacher-led activities.  This allows time for the natural socialization and physical exploration each child is inclined to and guided activities that meet individual sensory needs.  The children engage in gardening activities such as harvesting apples in the fall, tapping the maple trees in trees in the winter, and planting in the spring.

At the close of our Outdoor time, children develop responsibility and cooperation skills as they put away toys.  They develop resiliency and fine motor skills necessary to independently manipulate zippers, boots, and work pants.

All these activities strengthen the vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems of the children.  They integrate the vertical and horizontal midlines, which support cognitive development and body awareness. They also experience wonder and awe of the natural world as they participate in gardening and harvesting activities.

Circle Time

After transitioning back indoors, Circle Time brings creative teacher-led activities focused on sensory integration while building numeracy and literacy. Hand clapping games and bean bag tossing build hand eye coordination and integrate the vertical and horizontal midline. The children also experience World Language immersion and Eurythmy, an artistic movement designed to guide the children to awareness of their bodies in space.

Rest

The children participate in a quiet rest time.

Snack

Sitting together at our farm-style table, the children enjoy homemade natural and organic snacks they help prepare. Examples include rice and beans, oatmeal porridge with raisins, freshly baked bread, and vegetable soup. In addition to the sensory experience of sharing a meal, the children develop good table manners and the fine motor skills necessary for a well-articulated tripod grip.

Child Initiated Inside Play and Daily Activity

The Daily Activity time provides instruction for finger-knitting, sewing, woodwork, drawing, painting. These activities strengthen hand-eye, fine-motor, and imaginative thinking skills. These activities change daily.

Children participate in self-initiated creative play utilizing the multiple play materials available to them. Here they cultivate creativity, gross and fine motor skills, and the capacity for cooperative and collaborative socialization.

Story

The children listen to a story told by heart by their teacher. The children are exposed to rich vocabulary and imagination. Their listening skills are honed as they develop the necessary skills of focus and attention.

Dismissal

Our day ends with a short goodbye circle, offering a closing opportunity to sing together and engage in gross and fine motor activities before the children are dismissed.