Our Play-Based Curriculum
by Francie Ringold, Head Teacher
The Preschool’s mission states that the Preschool is dedicated to provide a structured, cooperative program designed to encourage the social, emotional, physical and mental development of young children. How do we go about trying to encourage that growth? We let the children PLAY. "Shouldn’t they be learning something?" someone might ask, and to that we would say, “They are.”

The Preschool’s curriculum is based on the philosophy that children learn through their play, and it is with and through play that they learn, grow and develop. A poem that I give to the parents who join my class each year highlights this philosophy.

I tried to teach my child with books
He gave me only puzzled looks.
I tried to teach my child with words.
They passed him by often unheard.
Despairingly, I turned aside.
“How shall I teach this child,” I cried.
Into my hand he put the key.
“Come,” he said, ‘play with me.”

We set up our rooms to be welcoming and inviting places for kids to explore. We provide tools to experience and play with. It might be with paint, brushes, glitter, glue, paper and scissors in the art area or it can be in the sensory table with sand, shovels, pitchers, cups, water and more. It might be wooden blocks, paper blocks, cars, animals and trains in the block area. It can be in the table toy area with puzzles magnets and marbles or a safe and cozy area for reading with a trusted adult.

What are the kids learning in these rooms we have? They are learning to interact with other children and loving adults. They are learning about science and how things work. They are learning pre-math skills and how things fit together and or don’t. They are learning to use their words instead of hitting. They are learning pre-reading skills and learning that caring adults get down on the floor and play along side of them.

We feel this is what children need to succeed in all areas of their lives and that giving children the time and the space to play they will flourish. To quote Bev Bos, a very famous Early Childhood Educator, from her book Tumbling Over the Edge: a Rant for Children’s Play: “The basics for young children are wonder, discovery and experience.”