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As children progress through our program,
we understand they will mature at an individual
pace but through a predictable sequence of
stages. In their earliest years, they benefit
from concrete, hands on play that stimulates
all their senses. Socially, they are beginning
to notice other children and include them
in their play. Emotionally, they are beginning
to distinguish their feelings, control their
impulses, and use language to express their
needs. Intellectually, they are acquiring
language, developing their attention span,
and solving increasingly complex problems.
Physically they are gaining strength, dexterity,
and agility. As they move through our program,
we tailor our curriculum and expectations
to accommodate the changes in their development.
We know that when we create the “just right
challenge” for each child, he or she builds
true self-esteem derived through real accomplishment.
Teachers present a variety of relevant themes
to the children throughout the school year.
Themes vary depending on the age and interests
of the group and may include subject matter
inspired by nature, social, and literary interests.
Along with the themes teachers present, curriculum
also extends from the questions and topics
that arise in the children’s play and exploration.
Teachers note children’s interests and create
meaningful learning by planning activities
that allow full and rich exploration of their
ideas. Teachers enhance each activity through
conversation and open-ended questions. |
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child’s day at North Shore Nursery School
provides opportunities for structured
and open-ended activities as well as
individual, small group, and whole group
experiences. A rhythm of quieter activities
and more active physical play is achieved
through the daily schedule. Teachers
in each class devote more or less time
to the following segments depending
on the developmental needs of the children
in their group. |
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 accommodates
children’s learning styles and
respects their individual preferences
by allowing them to select activities
from the wide variety available
in the classroom. They play for
an uninterrupted period of time
independently or with friends.
Teachers provide guidance and
support throughout. |
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 allows
children and teachers to work
together to create, solve problems,
play games, and investigate questions. |
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 builds
community and literacy skills
by giving children opportunities
to hear stories, sing, play group
games and talk about important
happenings in their world. |
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 promotes
physical well-being, dramatic
play, and a deep connection to
nature. |
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 provides
many rich opportunities for nourishing
a child’s body, mind, and sense
of community. Children see themselves
as contributing members of their
classroom community when they
help cook their snack and set
the table. They are encouraged
to use self help skills when they
take turns pouring their own milk
and tidying the table when they
are finished. |
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of our classrooms is spacious, well-maintained,
child-friendly, and cozy. They include
a variety of learning areas equipped
with age-appropriate materials. Materials
are rotated and refreshed to maintain
children’s interest and complement the
themes they are exploring. |
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have props and costumes
that promote creative pretend
play, role-playing and social
interaction. |
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are stocked with books,
puppets, and materials for
writing, so language development
can be reinforced across
spoken, visual, and written
dimensions. Children look
at books, hear and retell
stories and dictate ideas
for teachers to write down.
They are also encouraged
to write using their own
symbols and invented spellings.
Fine motor development is
encouraged through the use
of materials like scissors,
markers, and stamps. |
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have puzzles, games and
manipulatives that promote
mathematical and spatial
reasoning. |
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 are
supplied with wonderful
variety of unit blocks,
large hollow blocks, and
other building materials
and provide ample space
for construction. |
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provide daily opportunities
for open-ended exploration
with a variety of materials
including sand, clay, modeling
dough, water, mud, etc.
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provides an indoor sandbox
for digging, sculpting,
construction and experimentation. |
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contain interesting items
from nature to pique children’s
curiosity. They are augmented
with tools like magnifying
glasses, scales, and rulers
to promote observation,
prediction, and recording.
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promote self-expression
and exposure to a wide variety
of mediums and techniques. |
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 also
known as the “Big Room”
provides an indoor space
for gross motor activities,
physical games, and creative
movement |
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provide a relaxing space
for one or two children
to play, enjoy books, or
rest. |
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