The 4-5-year-old studio focuses on pre-requisite and basic reading and math skills. Additionally, students learn science through exploration, which includes topics in nature, space, health and fitness, and biology.
They spend many hours a week outdoors exploring and moving as part of their learning. This group explores more topics relating to geography, community, mindfulness, and emotional/social skills.
Understanding Basic Reading & Math Concepts
READING: At this stage, children work on building basic literacy skills. This includes recognizing letters and their sounds (phonics), learning sight words, and beginning to form simple sentences. They may also start to understand the concepts of print (reading left to right, top to bottom) and start to read simple picture books or sentences.
MATH: Basic math concepts are introduced, such as counting, recognizing numbers, identifying shapes, and understanding simple patterns. They may practice counting objects, comparing sizes, and understanding basic concepts of addition and subtraction.
Science Through Exploration
NATURE: Children explore the natural world, learning about plants, animals, weather, and seasons. This is often done through hands-on activities, like planting seeds or observing insects.
SPACE: Concepts like the sun, moon, stars, and simple space exploration ideas are introduced. Children may engage in activities like creating their own “space” models or learning about the solar system through storytelling.
HEALTH: Health education focuses on basic hygiene practices, like washing hands and brushing teeth, as well as introducing the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
BIOLOGY: At this stage, children begin exploring basic biological concepts like body parts, senses, and how living things grow and change.
Learning Basic Geography
BASIC GEOGRAPHY: Students begin to understand basic geography concepts, such as maps, globes, and the idea of location (home, school, city, etc.). They may also learn about different animals or people from around the world through fun activities or stories.
Reinforcing Community & Mindfulness Habits
COMMUNITY: Children begin to understand what a community is, recognizing different roles people play (like doctors, teachers, firefighters). They might learn about how people work together and help one another in their communities. They may also explore family structures and the roles of friends.
MINDFULNESS: Mindfulness activities help children develop self-regulation and focus. Simple techniques like deep breathing, body scans, or listening to calm music can help children manage big feelings and stay present in the moment. This is key for emotional development and learning to stay calm in various situations.
Strengthening Emotional & Social Skills
SOCIAL GROWTH: This is a crucial area for young children. At ages 4-5, children are learning how to express their emotions and recognize emotions in others. They practice social skills like taking turns, sharing, saying “please” and “thank you,” and using kind words. They also learn how to solve problems with their peers, such as negotiating or resolving conflicts.
Socratic Discussion for Explorers:
Exploring Ideas: At this age, Socratic discussions are simple and involve open-ended questions that encourage curiosity and imagination. Teachers might ask, “Why do you think the sky is blue?” or “What happens if we mix these colors?” The goal is to help children think critically about their world in an age-appropriate way.
Learning Through Exploration: Through hands-on activities in science, math, or geography, children are encouraged to express their thoughts and ask questions. Discussions can center around the topics they are exploring, such as “How do plants grow?” or “What makes the weather change?”
Building Social Skills: These discussions help young children build their communication skills, listening to others’ thoughts and responding thoughtfully, which is an essential part of emotional and social development.
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