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Curriculum / Our Day
Morning Program
- 8:45-9:00 Arrival
- 9:00-9:15 Morning Circle
- 9:15-10:00 Center Exploration (Walk on Tues/Thurs)
- 10:00-11:00 Bathroom, Hand washing, Snack, Dish washing
- 11:00-11:45 Project Work or Center Exploration (Project on Mon/Wed/Fri)
- 11:45-12:00 Clean up
- 12:00-12:15 Story and Closing Circle
Afternoon Program
- 12:15-12:30 Hand washing and Lunch
- 12:30-1 Bathroom Break and Quiet Activities
- 1-1:15 Storytime
- 1:15-2:15 Rest time
- 2:15-3:15 Open play/Project
- 3:15 Dismissal
About the Daily Schedule
Our daily schedule varies with the rhythm of the seasons and weather conditions. Above is our typical Fall and Spring schedule. We strive to spend as much time as possible outdoors throughout the entire year. Completing our morning walk is one of our greatest priorities. Greater indoor time occurs during the winter with dropping temperatures. We will not meet outside if hail, thunder, or lightning are present or if the temperature, including wind chill is negative 10 degrees or below.
The Kinderhaus day is a consistent rhythm of in and out breaths. We come together as the children arrive, then flow outward into outdoor interest areas. Again, flowing together during morning circle and snack; followed by an outbreath into our walk or discovery time. We gather in again to listen to our daily story before the final outbreath as the children return to their caregivers and journey on with their home. A consistent schedule helps to increase comfort and cooperation as the children are able to predict what events are forthcoming.
A Walk Through Our Day
We begin each day with our Arrival & Gathering outside. We feel that this eases the separation of child from parent. This also allows us to be prepared for our nature walk and prevents the wasting of valuable time dressing to go outside. The leaders will individually greet the children and parents as they arrive.
We have observed that the transition for children into playing as a group is eased with our Morning Circle. Song and movement are an engaging way to bring the children together in proximity and community. Recognition of who is and is not present allows the children to acclimate to the members of the group present and move into play with them.
Our walk in nature allows for a time for the children to spend in conversation while developing strength in the children’s bodies which is essential to play and imagination. The walk takes the children to favorite and familiar locations which provide for their own special form of play. Outdoor play will allow the children to imagine and create their outdoor worlds. Leaders and children will drift in and out of each others’ “meaningful work.” We believe that the child’s work is to play and strive to have the children interacting while the leaders are present primarily for safe supervision.
Our Storytelling & Puppetry focuses on play in cooperation as that is our primary goal for the children when they are meeting. We realized that a group of small children playing for three hours can become quite chaotic. Story provides a calming and centering activity.
Our choices for inside play activities encourage cooperative interaction while discouraging competitive behaviors and adult interaction. An emphasis on natural and imaginative wooden toys include kitchen/homemaking set, farm animals and barn, dollhouse, and building blocks. Natural silks, a sensorial discovery table, open chalkboard, items from nature, puppets, and handmade dolls are available for all children. Gross motor toys are provided indoors, as well. We believe that presenting children with unformed toys (branches, logs, and rocks) or toys with minimal detailing allows for a greater opportunity for children to develop and utilize their imaginations.
We are committed to serving the children at Kinderhaus a snack that is good for their bodies and the environment in which they live. Snacks are all-natural, and we will attempt to serve local and organic foods when possible and economically feasible. The children eat in community to encourage conversation.
Prior to the children’s departure, our closing song allows the children to prepare for the transition back to their home caregivers. Children will be released to their caregivers, as they arrive, for dressing and departure.