Our Curriculum
At Harvard Park, we support the growth and education of children through the use of hands-on manipulative preschool activities. Our philosophy is simple; children learn best by doing. To foster this philosophy, each classroom is set up with learning centers. Our learning centers are designed so that children are able to choose the activity that is most appealing to them. When children are allowed to make choices in their learning and have ownership their work, their level of learning increases. The teachers carefully design the activities to the meet the needs and interests of the children in their class. These activities allow the children to opportunity to problem solve, gain social skills, develop independence while working on academic skills. These pro-social behaviors are critical to their success in Kindergarten and beyond.
There are many skills that children in school need today in order to work independently as well as take direction from teachers. Our highly educated teachers have designed their daily schedule to provide times designated for both teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Our hands-on curriculum means that your child will be busy learning, exploring, and being creative. They will develop critical social/emotional skills that will help them not only in school, but in life.
The teachers use an ongoing weekly assessment tool to be sure the activities they plan are meeting the needs of each child in the classroom and use Emergent Curriculum practices when planning for their students. Emergent curriculum is an approach to build the children’s education based on the interests, strengths and needs of the children as the teachers naturally see it unfold throughout the day during play and observation. The teachers take the information they have gathered and create a theme and lessons that will be meaningful to the children. There is no time limit on this theme. They can last as long as the children are interested and engaged. The themes and concepts being taught are enhanced with field trips and cooking projects. Most importantly, the children are given opportunities to enjoy nature every day (regardless of the weather) in our large, park like playground.
Each classroom has a “Calm Down” space for the children to use when they are feeling sad, upset, or angry. There are calming activities along with pictures of emotions to help the children name how they are feeling and breathing techniques to use. Teachers continually plan lessons on how and when to use the Calm Down Space and ways to cope with our emotions.
Dramatic Play allows the children to develop social/ emotional skills, be creative, enhance their vocabularies and explore the role people play in society.
Sensory play allows children to problem solve and role play while engaging their tactile, olfactory, and auditory senses.
Eating meals family style allows children to develop self help skills as they pour their own milk, serve their own food and clean up their dishes. Amazing conversations happen during meal times as the children pass food, use their manners, and socialize.
Outside play is essential to your child’s development. When children have time to move and play outside they are developing pathways to the brain which increases learning. We know that children who play outside regularly develop a stronger immune system, play more creatively and have a more self confidence. Our playground is designed for all types of play and we play outside everyday, regardless of the weather!