Philosophy

The philosophy of education at the Children’s School is based on child development research that finds that children form most of their attitudes about self and learning during the first five years of life.  This is when children construct knowledge, experience empathy, extract meaning, and grow exponentially.

The teaching staff’s goals and objectives are focused on: 1) constructing learning environments for children that enable optimal development of their physical, psychosocial and cognitive abilities, 2) respecting and facilitating each individual child’s learning process, and 3) practicing living as a democratic community.

Daily adventures in a shared environment produce new scenarios and gained competence.  Our curriculum is steeped in active sensory experience, and grounded in environmental ethics and aesthetics.  Together, the teaching staff and children develop meaningful curriculum through ongoing conversations and thoughtful provocations.  We also encourage children to take care of the environments around them and to honor the creatures and people therein. We promote community and togetherness throughout our three classrooms; the Rosebuds, the Dandelions, and the Poppies. The teachers and families work together to promote continuity of care and facilitate children’s transitions to each classroom as they grow.

Our goal at the Children’s School is for all children to become successful in our 3 R’s:  Respect for self and others; Responsibility for themselves, their belongings and the environment around them; and Resourcefulness, to be able to find solutions to problems.  We believe that with practice they will become competent and resilient young children. 

Goals for Young Children

1. For children to develop respect for themselves, other people, and the environment.
2. For children to be responsible for themselves, and for the environment around them.
3. For children to learn resourcefulness and problem solving.
4. For children to develop resiliency and flexible thinking.
5. For children to expand their sense of wonder about the world around them.
6. For children to express themselves creatively (artistically and socially).
7. For children to experience living in a community and developing peer relationships.