A Time for Exploration

For children age three or four by December 1, teachers facilitate trials and errors so that the students’ experiences contain enough success to quell frustration and enough challenge to spark motivation. Teachers know that children have distinct ways of determining reality and world views. Therefore teachers foster the curiosity that motivates a child’s life-long learning by posing questions and encouraging the child to observe, use language, and take reasonable risks. Teachers use the Key Concepts as well as their extensive experience with young children to prepare them for Kindergarten and the years beyond. Children explore the idea of God in weekly Chapel services conducted by the Rector of Trinity Church.

A Snapshot of the Student

ECP 3’s and 4’s enter a social and learning world outside of home. As the children engage with learning activities, questions and observations form the basis of interaction with teachers and other students. Handling, moving, and thinking about different materials leads to problem setting and problem solving. A piece of string might generate a conversation about line; a found wheel might lead to exploring why certain shapes roll and others do not. All of this exploration leads to transformative thinking.

Every activity in ECP 3-4 affords the teacher new opportunity to assess student development and growth. Conversing with students about play, work, drawings, and feelings tells students how valuable they, their thinking, and their learning are.