Inside a Classroom

As you enter The Emerge School classrooms, the door opens to a greeting from the teacher and the sight and sounds of children having fun learning.

In the science corner, the sensory table is full of imaginative items to stimulate the sense of touch. On a given day, your child might find water, sand, rocks, corn meal, feathers, or cotton balls.

In another area of the classroom children may be sitting in a circle listening to teachers sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, read stories or play music. They may have instruments at their fingertips to create music of their own. Printed materials and books to enhance pre-literacy skills are readily available.

The dramatic play area of the classroom is always transforming. One day your child may be dressed like the mail delivery person and delivering letters to his friends; the next he may be “fixing” an old computer printer at the Computer Repair Shop. The creativity doesn’t stop in the dramatic play area of the room.

Building materials and blocks provide ample opportunities for learning about patterns and relationships, geometry, spatial sense and measurement. Similarly, fine motor control and eye- hand coordination are developed by playing with smaller items such as puzzles and manipulatives like Legos.

With access to art and creative supplies, the children are always ready to experiment with creating visual masterpieces. The ever-changing supplies give children the opportunity to marvel at the variety of new works of art they can create.

All this learning makes for hungry children. Once snack time begins, a variety of opportunities exist to awaken children’s taste buds and critical thinking skills- is snack crunchy or soft, cold or hot, spicy or sweet? Children are especially encouraged and guided in building social skills and language during this important part of the day.

Knowing that children learn through their five senses, the teachers do not forget about the sense of smell; during the day children’s noses are stimulated by the scents of fresh herbs while watering the classroom garden or the smell of shaving cream when they are writing their names in it.

Both inside the classroom and outdoors, the children have ample opportunities for movement throughout the day. An emphasis is placed on large motor skill development, capitalizing on the kinetic energy through which many children learn.

Throughout the day, the classroom sounds move naturally between quiet and loud, laughter and discussions, words and music. The last sound for your child is an affirmation from the teacher: ”We had a fun day today and I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

Outdoor Environment

At the Emerge School, we value the role that nature plays. With ample grassy areas for running and playing, children interact with each other in a variety of capacities, from imaginative games to cooperative interactions. Tricycles are available to ride and many have room for passengers to further enhance friendship-building skills. Everyday children get to play outside weather-permitting.