A Typical Day at the Co-op
Children move through a daily schedule of interactive learning experiences that incorporate:
- Music and movement
- Visual art
- Dramatic play
- Science and nature
- Storytelling
- Snack time
- Show-and-tell/sharing
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Special field trips
Play is children’s work.
General
The Preschool day is divided into several activity blocks. Our Teacher will arrange her daily schedule to best meet the needs of the children by having some or all of the following activities planned. The paragraphs below discuss the importance of each activity.
Choice Time
Choice Time is the heart of the Preschool program. Children are allowed to move within a room and make choices freely, thus developing self-confidence, and discovering and learning new things.
Arts and Craft Area
The objective is to provide many different art materials so children learn to try new things, gain sensory experience, and develop fine motor skills and creativity through self-expression.
Block/Train Area
The objectives are to develop hand-eye coordination, small and large muscle coordination, visual discrimination and memory, and thinking skills. Children learn to share ideas and work together by taking turns. They begin to understand and develop mathematical concepts such as sequencing and comparing and contrasting shapes and sizes.
Dramatic Play Area
The objectives are to let the children act out the adult world as they see it, and to express their feelings in a comfortable setting.
Circle Time
Circle time may include story time, singing, creative movement, gross motor activities, language and sharing opportunities, show-n-tell, and cognitive activities. During this time, alphabet and number concepts may be indirectly presented. Children and Teacher get together for a fun social time, encouraging listening skills and following directions. This also encourages sharing and self-expression in a teacher-directed setting and helps build a positive attitude toward self, others, and school.
Snack Time
Snack time is a great social time for children and adults. They are encouraged to try foods, but are not forced to eat anything. The children are taught about how foods and eating habits affect their bodies. We have children serve themselves and pour beverages whenever possible.
Outdoor Time
Outdoor time encourages large muscle activities and social interaction.
Sensory Area
The objective is to provide pleasurable tactile experiences to develop hand-eye coordination, learn simple science concepts and learn about spatial relationships using different mediums such as rice, cornmeal, water, sand, potting soil and seeds.
Motor Skills and Movement Exploration
The objective is to provide open space and equipment that encourages children to discover free body movement, learn to follow simple directions, and build a positive self-image. The playground has tricycles, a tire swing, climbing equipment and more. Curriculum involving native plants and creatures has been developed utilizing the nearby woodland trails. Children enjoy opportunities to picnic, hike, observe, and touch their environment.
Field Trips and Special Events
We try to include field trips and special events for each class. Parents will be notified in advance of each Field Trip and Special Event in order to plan accordingly.
A Field Trip is defined as an outing that involves preschoolers only. The children are accompanied by the Teacher and the scheduled working parents, plus any additional parents who want to go along. Examples of Field Trips include going to the grocery store, local businesses, the Post Office, or the Library.
A Special Event is defined as an outing in which siblings and other family members are also invited to attend. Past Special Events have included a trip to the Hands On Children’s Museum, the Seattle Aquarium, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, roller skating in Bremerton and/or Port Orchard, and the annual Circus Day celebration in May (which takes place on the school grounds).
The Preschool day is divided into several activity blocks. Our Teacher will arrange her daily schedule to best meet the needs of the children by having some or all of the following activities planned. The paragraphs below discuss the importance of each activity.
Choice Time
Choice Time is the heart of the Preschool program. Children are allowed to move within a room and make choices freely, thus developing self-confidence, and discovering and learning new things.
Arts and Craft Area
The objective is to provide many different art materials so children learn to try new things, gain sensory experience, and develop fine motor skills and creativity through self-expression.
Block/Train Area
The objectives are to develop hand-eye coordination, small and large muscle coordination, visual discrimination and memory, and thinking skills. Children learn to share ideas and work together by taking turns. They begin to understand and develop mathematical concepts such as sequencing and comparing and contrasting shapes and sizes.
Dramatic Play Area
The objectives are to let the children act out the adult world as they see it, and to express their feelings in a comfortable setting.
Circle Time
Circle time may include story time, singing, creative movement, gross motor activities, language and sharing opportunities, show-n-tell, and cognitive activities. During this time, alphabet and number concepts may be indirectly presented. Children and Teacher get together for a fun social time, encouraging listening skills and following directions. This also encourages sharing and self-expression in a teacher-directed setting and helps build a positive attitude toward self, others, and school.
Snack Time
Snack time is a great social time for children and adults. They are encouraged to try foods, but are not forced to eat anything. The children are taught about how foods and eating habits affect their bodies. We have children serve themselves and pour beverages whenever possible.
Outdoor Time
Outdoor time encourages large muscle activities and social interaction.
Sensory Area
The objective is to provide pleasurable tactile experiences to develop hand-eye coordination, learn simple science concepts and learn about spatial relationships using different mediums such as rice, cornmeal, water, sand, potting soil and seeds.
Motor Skills and Movement Exploration
The objective is to provide open space and equipment that encourages children to discover free body movement, learn to follow simple directions, and build a positive self-image. The playground has tricycles, a tire swing, climbing equipment and more. Curriculum involving native plants and creatures has been developed utilizing the nearby woodland trails. Children enjoy opportunities to picnic, hike, observe, and touch their environment.
Field Trips and Special Events
We try to include field trips and special events for each class. Parents will be notified in advance of each Field Trip and Special Event in order to plan accordingly.
A Field Trip is defined as an outing that involves preschoolers only. The children are accompanied by the Teacher and the scheduled working parents, plus any additional parents who want to go along. Examples of Field Trips include going to the grocery store, local businesses, the Post Office, or the Library.
A Special Event is defined as an outing in which siblings and other family members are also invited to attend. Past Special Events have included a trip to the Hands On Children’s Museum, the Seattle Aquarium, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, roller skating in Bremerton and/or Port Orchard, and the annual Circus Day celebration in May (which takes place on the school grounds).