Early Childhood

Weekly thematic units incorporate literature, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes, helping children develop their listening and speaking skills in a fun, engaging manner.

Children are exposed to a variety of sensory writing experiences that encourage fine motor control, left-to-right sequencing, and visual discrimination.

When they are ready, journaling is introduced, allowing the children to use their early writing skills to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and observations.

Pre-reading skills are nurtured through extensive vocabulary development and a phonics-based approach to early literacy.

Early readers are offered opportunities that enhance their abilities and encourage the development of a love of reading.

Children develop early math skills through shape recognition, sorting, graphing, identifying patterns, and more.

Counting and early addition/subtraction concepts are introduced through math stories and real-life problem-solving situations.

An inquiry-based approach to science means that through the use of natural and man-made materials, children are encouraged to explore, play, and learn. Teachers guide students through hands-on experiments and activities, helping them discover and make sense of the world around them.

Using empathy and positive language, our teachers help students develop emotional literacy, nurturing their ability to identify their feelings and how those feelings affect others. By increasing their emotional vocabulary, students learn to “use their words” to solve problems.

Through pretend play, children are encouraged to engage their imaginations, explore their emotions, role-play positive relationships, social interactions, and problem-solving skills.

Our outdoor play area allows for gross motor coordination activities, including running, climbing, and cycling on our EC Trike Track.

Indoor and outdoor activities encourage hand-eye coordination, including building with blocks, assembling puzzles, and ball play.

Children have the opportunity to hone their fine motor skills using a variety of art mediums, including paint, clay, coloring, cutting, and more.

In addition, our Early Childhood students receive regular Music and PE instruction from Allen’s Music and PE co-curricular teachers. Receiving instruction from the same co-curricular teachers as the Lower School students allow for a more streamlined experience as students transition from Early Childhood to Kindergarten, in regard to both curriculum and instruction.