Lil’ Sprouts
Ages 3 – 6
These little explorers enjoy 3 refreshing hours from 9:00-12:00 playing and learning in the Montessori inspired and play-based classroom as well as running outside on the playground and playing in the mud kitchen. We enjoy nature walks and try different activities from a forest school curriculum. All we do and say is enveloped in a biblical perspective. The class is capped at 10 children and with this small class, your learner is sure to get quality time. We plan on being outside everyday: rain, shine, and especially the snow! Classes are held Monday-Thursday. If you need before care or want to send your little one with a lunch and pick up around 12:30, we can do that!
Nature and Bible-Based
We spend part of our morning in “circle time” as we learn scripture, Bible stories and songs. Inspired by God’s creation and the 1,000 Hours Outside movement, we spend half or more of our time outside exploring, investigating, questioning, digging, building, communicating and just living our best lives. Science really does come naturally. It’s glorious. We use a forest school curriculum and depending on the weather we may need sneakers, rain boots or snow boots! As the Swedish say, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”.
Literacy Skills
Reading to a child is a gift you give and get. Being child-centered is important as it helps the teacher gauge when the child is ready to learn letters, sounds, words and move forward into reading and writing. Hearing a child read their first sentence is exciting but so is having a conversation around a wordless book! Ms. Heather begins reading lessons when the student shows signs of reading readiness.
Play-Based
So many loose parts! We welcome rocks, sticks, pinecones, bark and leaves (no squirrels, yet). These Littles dress up their babies and take them to the “store” to shop, buy groceries, and come “home” to bake cookies. While cupcakes are cooling, they’ll put together puzzles, dance, sing, draw, play games and enjoy sensory toys. These activities take place outside too!
Eclectic Curriculum
I use a tried and true Montessori curriculum that includes science, social studies, geography, math and literacy activities. I also like the occasional unit study. Did you know you can read Blueberries for Sal, talk about bears, make blueberries out of playdough and estimate withouth even knowing you’re learning? We also use the Forest School for All Curriculum as well as Abeka.