Patterns

Arrival - Arrival is one of the most important transitions of the day! Between 8:30 and 9:30 children trickle in (early drop off is between 8:30 and 9:00AM) and learn to say goodbye to parents at the doorway. Adventure awaits! And breakfast. The art center has fresh paper and pencils, the sensory bin is full, there may be play dough out and a teacher is encouraging block play. Friends greet each other and the day begins. 

Guided Work - Throughout the morning children may engage in a number of activities that require scaffolding, or a teacher making themselves as present and as peripheral as is most conducive to children's learning. 

Outside Time - 11:20AM - 12:10PM - Going outside is so important for young children. We try to go out no matter the weather with warm clothes. We encourage loose parts play in the outdoors as well as the indoor environment. 

Naptime - 12:45 - 3:00 Naptime is extremely important! Young children become overwhelmed easily when overtired and we try to make the ritual of sleep as peaceful and soothing as possible so we can give children that important space to regroup and process the events of the day and drift off into sleep. Children who wake up early move to the back room.

Goodbyes - 5:30 - 6:00 (Late Pickup) Children are ready to go home and share, or keep private the events of their day. We can't wait to start again tomorrow. 

Morning Meeting - At around 10:30, after an hour of free play children gather for a morning meeting. We discuss the theme under which we are unifying information. We sing songs, take turns, play games and learn to share space and our environment. Circle time can be a challenge but is a great boon to development and creates a sense of order and peace in the flow of the day. 

Snack - 11:00 AM - After circle time children flood into the room designated for meals, books and quiet play for those who wake up early from nap. They are served a nutritous snack and frequently read a story. 

Lunch - 12:20 - 12:45PM - Children share their main meal together. Sometimes another story is read and sometimes a teacher helps facilitate discussion at the table. We encourage students to learn protocols around eating and keeping their food on their plates, encouraging their autonomy and boosting their self-esteem. We also discuss aspects of nutrition throughout the year that we hope children will carry with them and at times do cooking projects with children that they enjoy at lunch time. 

Extended Day - 3:00 - 5:30 - In the final hours of the day we may go outside again, we may keep working on a project, we may start something new. Movement and dance are frequent visitors to this time slot and sometimes more focused work like beading or creating more intricate collages. We also have another snack during this time.