What does play look like in our classrooms?

Babies – around 1 year old

Our baby classes are all about sensory!  Babies learn everything through their senses – taste, touch, smell, sound and sight.  The sensing organs associated with each sense sends vital information to the brain to help the baby to understand and make sense of the world. 

Each experience is developing a solid foundation for the baby to construct knowledge.  It is quite common to see babies mouthing, grabbing, dropping, and shaking materials as they explore objects.  This is motivated by an inner drive that demands to know “What is It?”  “What will It do?”

We provide our babies with an environment that is rich with different textures, sounds and experiences to encourage opportunities for meaningful discoveries.

Junior Kindergarten One – two-year old’s

Our two-year old’s have unique needs that differ from the babies and the Junior Kindergarten Twos.  They are like busy bees buzzing from one activity to the next with a seemingly insatiable need to check everything out. 

Their needs for movement are huge and developmentally necessary for their growth.  For example, at this age we see a real need to climb.  Rather than telling a child “no”, when a child is trying to climb somewhere inappropriate, we show the child where climbing is appropriate.

We provide our JK1’s with an environment that offers beautiful open spaces that encourage movement as the children explore.  Activities help to meet the need for movement and many opportunities to work on muscle development as we work towards prewriting and prereading activities.

Junior Kindergarten Two – three to four-year old‘s

Our three- and four-year old’s are striving for independence, enjoy having options and lots of variety in their daily routines.  They are making friends and are bolder in their explorations.  They enjoy a good joke and are enjoying conducting experiments with others.  Many are highly creative story tellers and enjoy spending time in the Dramatic Play areas creating imaginative make-believe stories!  Others are enjoying creating monstrous block structures that spread out in all directions and may be a collaborative effort!  It is a busy classroom as children are testing out their play ideas.

Junior Kindergarten Three – four- and five-year old’s

Also, a busy classroom – our four and fives are beginning to develop empathy and an awareness of the rights and feelings of others.  Capable and confident, there are many deep conversations about social awareness, and strong opinions!  The reading library and Science tables are popular and STEM challenges are greeted with much enthusiasm!

Refer to the following link for understanding Natural Play in our preschool: https://rothewood.com/about-rothewood/natural-play/