Classroom Environment
We believe that children are at their best (and do their best) when they are in a safe and trusting environment, with adults and peers who see, hear, and value them.
Children are welcomed into a space that feels like home. The classroom environment sets the tone for the journey ahead – it is appealing; manageable for children; invites risk-taking; promotes independence; and sparks curiosity.
In our preschool classrooms you will see:
- Relationships that build a sense of belonging, affirm individual identities, and build home-school connections
- Collaboratively created agreements on how to play and learn alongside each other in a joyful and respectful way
- Classroom spaces that are intentionally designed to foster independence, care for each other, and respect for the materials in the classroom
- Materials and learning experiences that integrate learning domains (math, literacy, science, art, etc.), connected to Big Ideas, and nurture social skills
In our preschool classrooms you will hear:
- Joy, laughter, and wonder at new discoveries – “Aha!” moments and proud exclamations of, “I did it!”
- Hearty conversations between curious teachers and enthusiastic learners
- Warm and supportive exchanges that invite children to take risks, work through challenges, and return to a sense of calm
In our preschool classrooms you will feel:
- Children are valued for who they are
- A buzz of purposefulness
- Safe in taking risks and making mistakes, knowing these are opportunities to grow together
- Trust that your core human needs for belonging, autonomy, competence, self-esteem, and purpose will be met
Classrooms should be beautiful and meet the needs of children. They must also be functional and provide accessibility – balancing this is the key to a successfully settled classroom.
During the day children pursue projects and make choices within the settled classroom environment. During these times of sustained play and exploration, children choose from activities across the classroom areas, including: art, sensory play, blocks building, dramatic play, fine motor work, writing and drawing, math manipulatives, classroom library, etc. Shelves and centers set up with intentionally designed compelling materials will draw children to make choices, engage with them for longer periods of time, and revisit materials that reinforce key skills.
Setting up classrooms ready for learning begins by thinking about what children and adults need to do their best work.