APPROACH

The Little Green Schoolhouse is an all-inclusive preschool program. We are queer friendly and accommodate special needs. Each child’s unique learning style is honored through hands-on experiences. Our program’s activities in art, music, literacy, sensory exploration, movement, math, and science celebrate a child’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm.

Children ages 2.5 to 5 are welcome and we do not require children to be potty trained. We have a daily schedule to provide structure, but also allow for flexibility based on the children’s interests and needs. Children are active members of the learning community, and both mutual respect and acceptance of differences are central to our mission. Children are assigned weekly jobs to encourage their sense of ownership and responsibility within the school community, and on-going, community-building activities are woven into the curriculum. Self-care is also addressed, with children demonstrating independence by managing personal clothing, hygiene, and meal activities.

Literacy shapes all that we do at the Little Green Schoolhouse. Carefully selected children’s literature forms thematic threads for the day’s activities. “Read alouds” fuel the children’s creativity, and dynamic retellings using props and a puppet theatre are encouraged. Letterforms and sounds are also introduced through imaginative play.

A child’s early experience with books should be one of wonder and magic; the act of being read to draws the child “into” the book, which inspires a life-long passion for reading.

Both outdoor and indoor gross motor play are an important part of our program. Our natural landscape with a climbing structure and balance beam, includes a sand-play area and garden to encourage imaginative play, balance and coordination, and sensory experiences. The indoor space is equipped with a hanging swing and materials for small-scale obstacle courses. Yoga is integrated into the daily circle-time routine.

The innate need for artistic and musical expression is also fundamental to our curriculum. Opening and closing circles always include singing and making music together. We love to sing and dance! Our sandbox cover also doubles as a stage, as all the world is a stage!