Play is a very important part of our busy day and it is how children learn in early childhood. Research shows play in an early learning classroom offers children a chance to increase skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, planning, organizing and language development. Play helps enhance development of cooperation, sharing, taking turns, and caring about others.

During our full day at school, children have many opportunities to play and can choose from a variety of activities during choice time.

Children participate in activities and projects designed to develop concepts and skills that encourage creativity and self-expression. The PreK team works hard to create activities in large and small groups to meet each child’s individual learning styles. Activities may be either student-directed or teacher-directed. Learning Stations include:

• • Art Table: Crayons, markers, pencils, chalk, glue, paint and scissors are available for students to create their own masterpieces of art.

  • Dramatic Play: This center is a dress-up, play house area. At other times during the year it may become a post office, doctor’s office, restaurant or other setting for imaginative play.

  • Library: Children may choose to look at books, listen to music or books on tape or cd.

  • Sensory Table: Children have the opportunity to pour, sift, measure, mix an experiment with materials (i.e. sand, water, popcorn, flour, etc.) while playing at this table.

  • Puzzles and Games: This station teaches new concepts, provides time to practice new skills and helps develop hand-eye coordination and small muscle development (which will help with writing skills). Of course, the main attraction of these games is that they are fun!

  • Science Station: Children observe, manipulate and experiment with items at the science center. This station may include things from nature, magnets, magnifiers, tools and simple experiments.

  • Blocks and Cars: This area has a variety of building blocks, materials and construction toys. There are also many different vehicles and small toys for imaginative play.

  • iPads: Each classroom has four iPads which are use for a variety of educational games.

  • Math Station and Writing Station: These two stations allow children to develop math concepts and writing in a fun and meaningful way.