(360) 944-9300

5145 NE 94th Ave.
Vancouver, WA  98662
Quick and easy access from I-205 & SR 500



 


INTEREST DRIVEN LEARNING
Children are thirsty for knowledge and they are motivated to put their knowledge and their creativity to work, which is exactly what happens when children are given the opportunity to ask questions and seek answers.

Here is a photo journalistic look at our recent study of space.


 

 




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WE BELIEVE CHILDREN’S PLAY IS THEIR WORK

· Play is repetitive
Children need repetition to learn, memorize and master skills.

 · Play is self-challenging
Children will work far longer on a difficult task if it is self-selected.
· Play is a stage to rehearse real life
 Children "practice" social situations during their play.

 · Play is a spring board to in-depth learning
 Children tend to gravitate toward areas of interest in their play.

 · Play is the foundation of fitness
 Children like to run, jump, and play hard – it is very healthy!

REGGIO INSPIRED CURRICULUM
The curriculum of our school is influenced by the philosophies of the schools in the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy.


While a few short sentences cannot adequately describe the philosophies of Reggio Emilia, it is important to outline the fundamentals which will be the basis of the learning in our programs.

The child is a protagonist. Children are strong and capable. All children have potential, curiosity, and interest in constructing their learning. Children, teachers and parents are considered the central triad in the educational process.


The child is a communicator. There is Intellectual development through a systematic focus on symbolic representation, including words, movement, drawing, painting, building, sculpture, shadow play, collage, dramatic play, and music. Children make their thinking visible through many different materials and activities which help them to discover and communicate what they know, understand, wonder about, question, feel and imagine.
The environment is the third teacher. There is a beauty and a purpose in the design and organization of all the space in our school, the equipment, and materials within it. The environment is rich in potential and is valued and cared for by the children and the adults.

The teacher is a partner, nurturer, and guide. Teachers facilitate children's exploration of themes, open-ended discovery, and problem solving. Small groups of children along with their teacher work on short and long term projects. Teachers listen and observe children closely and ask questions to discover their ideas, hypotheses, and theories.

Documentation is communication. Thoughtfully designed panels or books are used to present the process of learning at our school. Teachers' written commentary on the inspiration and purposes of projects, photographs of activities, transcription of the children's verbal language, and the representations of their thinking in many different media are carefully displayed for children and adults to enjoy, ponder, and revisit.

Parents are partners. Parent participation is essential to the learning experiences at school. Parent involvement happens in many ways, in the classroom, projects, work evenings, and family events. The ideas and skills that families bring to the school is beneficial to all.

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES

Children will have many opportunities to participate in small learning interest groups facilitated by a teacher. Many of the activities will focus on questions and interests the children have in areas such as:

- Science
- Art and Drawing
 - Drama
- Cooking
- Problem Solving
- Measurement
- Our Environment  

Teachers will also provide experiences for children to learn and grow as they practice skills in the following areas:

- Large motor proficiencies
- Gymnastics
- Ball Skills
- Key Vocabulary
- Letter Recognition
- Phonics
- Math Concepts