Even preschoolers who are reluctant to let go of Mom or Dad’s hand the first day of school quickly find a sense of confidence, self-worth and independence in our junior kindergarten class.
Organization, concentration, patience, and working independently are emphasized in a developmentally appropriate atmosphere in which cognitive, self-expressive, social, and physical development are encouraged. The day is split into a morning session geared toward kindergarten preparation and developing readiness for reading and writing, and an afternoon session, designed for enrichment, including lunch, a rest time, outdoor play, and activities that center on the arts and science.
Each day is filled with creative activities designed to develop language, visual perception, spatial organization, and other nonverbal skills. Students visit the school library each week and enjoy music and conversational Spanish twice a week. Junior kindergarteners enjoy their own playground and are sheltered from the hustle and bustle of a busy hallway, but are an integral part of the school, attending all Thursday assemblies and class plays. They are partnered with fourth graders and are often seen hand in hand, reading books together, or creating artwork. Junior kindergarteners get plenty of outdoor activity, taking nature hikes on campus, visiting the butterfly garden, or doing yoga stretching on the playground. We aim to encourage respect for others, and their feelings, ideas, and property as we prepare each child for kindergarten.