Pre-K 4’s Program (ages 3-4*) - Parlor Room

Children in the Parlor Room have had more experience and are comfortable with school life. Their understanding of “school” along with the intimacy of our building arms them with the social and emotional fortitude to feel at home with their teachers and classmates. At this age, children are able to look back on their earlier years and often show confidence and strength in their interests and pursuits. 

Their daily routine consists of the following: a work-time which includes a myriad of open-ended activities in addition to small group and individualized work with teachers, snack, meeting, story time, meeting, lunch, rest and a shortened second work period and closing meeting. 

The Parlor Room curriculum reflects the growth of their intellectual, social, emotional and physical developmental abilities, which allows them to explore activities and projects in greater depth. Each day they have time to explore the classroom at their own pace, visiting different areas of the room. The children’s increasing use of language and self reliance is supported and encouraged as is their emerging sense of responsibility to themselves and their class. While the classroom environment respects individual differences and needs, it also actively promotes collaboration which is so important at this age.

Long-term projects, thematic studies and group projects are central to the curriculum. While some themes are constants of this year - for example, tapping the maple tree in the yard to make maple syrup - many are an outgrowth of the interests of the current group of children. We help children to explore and develop their ideas using all areas of the room and through many forms of expression. By the end of the year, the class becomes a strong community of children who know each other well and work ably together.