four children playing with dough on table

Learning Experiences

Our Approach

We believe play is powerful, purposeful, and the work of children. Play is how children make sense of their world, build relationships, and grow across all areas of development. SEE Every Child Learning experiences are grounded in the idea of play and guided by a deep respect for each child’s cultural and linguistic background, our curriculum invites children to explore in ways that feel meaningful to them. Every activity is built with flexibility and multiple entry points, so that all children—including multilingual learners, children with special needs, and those developing at their own pace—can fully engage, connect, and thrive.

Learning Domains

In SEE preschools children develop skills across seven learning domains:

Social Emotional Learning

SEE integrates the Second Step curriculum to develop social emotional skills through storytelling, songs, games and group activities.

Literacy

The core of the SEE literacy approach is a set of evidence-based essential practices and daily experiences for young children to develop as strong emergent readers, writers and communicators.

Mathematical

SEE uses the Building Blocks PreK Math curriculum, embracing math as a language through which children can better communicate and understand their experiences.

Science & Engineering

SEE aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and supports children to investigate the world around them through hands-on, play-based exploration.

Artistic Expression

Children connect to the Big Ideas and communicate their ideas creatively through exploration of a variety of artistic media.

Physical Development

SEE addresses the whole child with mindful incorporation of physical development, regular outdoor time, games, and movement activities.

History & Social Sciences

Children develop social competence through community building, investigating projects, and culturally relevant material.

Classroom Schedule

Classrooms are dynamic and ever-changing. SEE encourages teachers to adjust their daily schedule so that children have the necessary time to learn and practice routines; collaborate in activities, and engage in interactions. A flexible schedule also allows teachers to be more responsive to the variable needs of children. While individual schedules will vary depending on school, program, etc., ALL children need to feel safe, secure, and comfortable, know what is happening now and what comes next, know how to do an activity or task, and engage in learning.

A typical schedule in our Somerville Public School early childhood classrooms have opportunities for indoor and outdoor play, community building, strengthening literacy and math skills, quiet time, and enjoy free breakfast and lunch.

8:15–8:45 a.m. Free Breakfast
Arrival Routines and Morning Meeting start at 8:45 am
Read Aloud
Choice Time
Lunch
Recess
Mindfulness/Quiet Time
Snack
Literacy/Math Centers
Closing Meeting
1:45 p.m. Dismissal

Learning Routines

Learning routines in early childhood classrooms are thoughtfully designed, predictable parts of the day that support young children’s development across all domains—cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language. These routines build a strong foundation for learning by creating structure, fostering independence, promoting a sense of safety and belonging, and helping children engage more deeply with content and concepts. At Somerville Early Education (SEE), each learning routine is intentionally crafted to align with how young children learn best—through hands-on exploration, social interaction, and meaningful repetition.

Core Learning Routines in SEE Classrooms

1. Circle/Morning Meeting

This welcoming gathering sets a positive tone for the day. Children greet one another, build community, and engage in a shared reading of the morning message, supporting both social connection and early literacy skills.

2. Explicit Presentation

Teachers model the care and use of materials, demonstrate activities, and explain classroom agreements. These clear, intentional moments help children develop independence, responsibility, and an understanding of expectations.

3. Choice/Center Time

The longest and most important part of the day, Choice Time allows children to engage in deep, sustained play. Children explore classroom areas like blocks, dramatic play, sensory materials, art, writing, and math, building critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills.

4. Read Alouds

Through repeated readings of rich, thematic texts connected to the Big Idea, children build comprehension and vocabulary. Interactive read-aloud strategies such as CROWD prompts help children engage in meaningful conversations about books.

5. Word/Letter Play and Building Blocks

In these playful whole-group routines, children participate in literacy and math activities that develop alphabetic knowledge, phonemic awareness, number sense, and spatial reasoning—all foundational for later academic success.

6. Sharing and Revisiting Children’s Work (Feedback)

Inspired by Reggio Emilia, this routine values children’s thinking by documenting and revisiting their work. Teachers and children reflect together, deepening learning, promoting self-awareness, and celebrating growth.

7. Fine Motor

Daily opportunities to strengthen fine motor skills prepare children for tasks like writing, cutting, and self-care. Through playful practice, children progress through essential stages of physical development.

8. Closing Meeting/SEL

This peaceful whole-group routine ends the day with reflection and emotional connection. Activities like sharing appreciations promote social-emotional learning, gratitude, and a positive classroom climate.

9. Storytelling/Story Acting

Inspired by the work of Vivian Gussin Paley, children dictate their own stories and act them out with peers. This practice supports narrative development, vocabulary, print awareness, and a sense of community and creativity.

10. Small Groups

Small groups provide increased time with teachers to practice skills and allow for tailored learning experiences that take into consideration children’s needs and interests.

11. Journaling

Journaling is an opportunity for children to tell their story and express themselves through drawing and mark making.

12. Vocabulary Routine

A consistent vocabulary routine in SEE classrooms lays the foundation for strong language development, comprehension, and academic success. By intentionally building understanding of words related to the Big Idea, teachers help children connect language to concepts, making learning more meaningful and enduring.