Our Child-Centered Curriculum
Learning through exploration and play
Young children are master learners. One of their main jobs is to figure out the world around them. At Firefly Community School young learners are given opportunities to explore and learn through play.
The teachers’ role is to provide meaningful and developmentally appropriate experiences that promote the children’s natural curiosity and creativity. We “set the stage”, so that children are constructing their own knowledge — whether they are building in the block area, experimenting with materials in the science/sensory area, pretending in the dramatic-play corner, creating in the art center, assembling puzzles or shape patterns, writing their own self-initiated messages or books- or eating snack, playing a group game, or setting the table for lunch. The teacher's guide and facilitate learning all throughout the day, as well as provide appropriate behavior expectations that ensure respectfulness, responsibility and kindness.
Outdoor & Nature Based Learning
Outdoor Play & Learning Opportunities
We probably don’t have to tell you how much young friends love to be outside. At FCS, teachers make outside learning and play a priority. Fresh air, large-motor activity, and experiences in nature are highly important for children. Not only are they acquiring confidence and competence in their physical abilities as they run, jump, climb, roll, push, swing, etc., they have opportunities for planning, engineering, problem-solving, and cooperating with peers. There is also growing evidence that outdoor exploration contributes to children’s academic success.
Becoming connected to the natural world is another vital purpose for outdoor play and exploration. Research shows that time in nature not only helps children learn to be good stewards of the earth, but also helps reduce anxiety and stress. Children (as well as many adults) find wonder and delight as they observe plants growing in a garden, changes in trees and clouds, ants working and butterflies or bees pollinating. We are committed to nurturing that sense of wonder, love and delight that happens when we slow down, listen, and tune in to our surroundings!
