Goals

Our first goal at International Playgroup is to offer an environment where children are safe, happy and able to thrive. Our environment is calm, sunny and colorful, with toys to boost imagination and classical and world music to set the atmosphere. We strive to create an environment where children receive the love and attention they need to grow.

Our next task is to focus on developing social and self-help skills. In social skills, children are taught to share in a group setting, to follow group activities, to respect their friends' wishes and emotions, to use words instead of physical aggressiveness, and to follow the general rules of the classroom. In self-help skills, children are encouraged to practice putting on shoes, coats, cleaning-up their toys, sitting nicely at the table during eating and table activities, using the bathroom and washing their hands. These skills are essential for proper classroom behavior in the future.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, for a period of one hour each day, we follow a Montessori style curriculum. The purpose of the period is to bring the children into an organized group setting with circle time and then to allow them to disperse in an organized way to choose material of their liking. This teaches our children to focus on their own. Some topics covered include the alphabet, number and color recognition, sorting, sequencing, and patterning. This period of individual concentration helps build a foundation for future academic success.

At International Playgroup we are proud to serve a diverse group of children. For the majority of our children, English is a second language. Although the children are too young to appreciate the diversity, nevertheless, they are exposed to different cultures, different types of food (each lunch box speaks of a culture) and, most importantly, different languages. This early exposure facilitates learning a foreign language in the future and also creates an appreciation for other cultures.

Art and music are an integral part of our curriculum. Children do their Montessori work and take their nap while listening to classical music. During free play, they listen to children's music from all over the world. For example, they can enjoy music from Africa, Korea, Japan, France, Spain, and India. During our Montessori period, children are supplied with paint and brush to work on the easel. We believe art and music encourage a child's imagination to flourish.

At International Playgroup we believe that children should play outside. Weather permitting, we spend an hour and a half outdoors per day. Children are encouraged to play in the snow in the winter and play with water in the hot summer months. The playground is gated and secure. We have a swing set, slides, and a sandbox. This outdoor period helps with the development of gross motor skills and allows the children to use some of their boundless energy.

Schedule

8:00am - 9:30am arrival, free play

9:00am - 9:30am morning snack (dry cereal, fresh fruit)

9:40am - 10:40am circle time, pre-Montessori program

10:40am - 11:00am clean-up time, general diaper changes, getting ready for recess

11:00am - 11:30am outdoor recess (in case of bad weather and indoor recess, children have free play time)

11:30am - 11:45am hand washing and getting ready for lunch

11:45am - 12:30am lunch (children bring their own lunch; it can be warmed in the micro; organic milk is served with lunch)

12:40pm - 1:00pm reading time (each child chooses a book and the head teacher reads each book for the group)

1:00pm - 3:00pm afternoon nap (children provide their own bedding; cots are provided)

3:00pm - 3:30pm wake-up time, washing for afternoon snack

3:30pm - 4:00pm afternoon snack (fresh seasonal fruit, string cheese or yogurt, cookies or crackers)

4:00pm - 4:45pm free play

4:45pm - 5:00pm reading

5:00pm - 6:00pm outdoor play until pick-up (in case of inclement weather children play inside)