Pre-School
- In This Section
Why Play?
Young children learn and develop their understanding of the world through play. It is crucial to the development of the whole child. Young children learn and develop a multitude of skills through play in the areas of literacy and language development; mathematical logical and scientific thinking; social and emotional relationships; music; art studio; theatrical arts; the natural world; health; and physical fitness.
We design SNACS Preschool curriculum to provide developmentally appropriate activities in which young children learn. Using the Reggio Emilia approach, children explore their “hundred languages” by making choices. As a result, children learn necessary academic skills and independence and develop social skills.
Children explore different centers that are designed based on standards. We design each center to provide children with specific learning skills through play experiences. For example, in the housekeeping center, young children learning social and language skills while gaining independence. They also learn mathematical, logical skills when they sort and categorize dishes, food, dolls, and other materials found in the housekeeping center. These skills provide a foundation for success that will last throughout their educational career.
We train teachers in the importance of each center and what skills children are learning. We train them in how (and when) to engage with children in play to enhance their learning. They ask questions that promote higher-order thinking and prompt children to make connections between what they have already learned and what they are experiencing.
The SNACS Preschool Team works together, with parents as our partners, to provide young children with a positive school experience in a warm and supportive environment that incorporates the whole child. Our goals for all children attending SNACS preschool are to foster and develop a love of learning, awareness, and knowledge of the world in which they live, and to help them to decide about their relationships in the world.