Music
As part of the Little Beats Preschool program, our students have a blast in a fast-paced playgroup setting, while thoroughly learning key elements to set them up for a lifetime of music appreciation. Each session provides a variety of exciting activities that include singing, dancing, instrument play, listening, chanting, and more. Studies have shown that children enjoy and can learn from not only simple melodies, but ALL music types. Because of this, our students learn music from around the world. We use what is happening around us to focus our musical education while also using music to foster our mental, physical, and emotional development. Most importantly, we move our bodies constantly and HAVE FUN!Music sessions are typically 45-minutes long, two to three times a week. A new song collection will be utilized every six to eight weeks, or closely following the Project Schedule at school. Family Events will be held for each new song collection to give friends and relatives a chance to experience our music classes and learn how to foster musical development at home!
Art
Art is infused throughout the day, with numerous opportunities to use professional-grade materials to paint, color, stamp, cut with scissors, draw, build, sculpt, and collage. At Aspen Grove Preschool we are interested in the process of making art, rather than the end product. Student artwork is displayed throughout the school, and we encourage the use of cork boards for individualized pieces to be hung at the children’s discretion. Our Art Specialist regularly works with the students both indoors and outdoors on activities that allow students to explore a variety of media, including fiber arts and earth arts. Activities are often used to enhance other curricular areas or project work, or may be art-for-art’s-sake.
Spanish and foreign language
Spoken and written Spanish is part of the student’s everyday life at school whether we are discussing our current project or writing the days of the week. Throughout the course of the day teachers interact with students through song, finger plays, words and phrases in Spanish. Common expressions such as "sit down please" are used interchangeably in both languages. In addition we encourage learning the languages that our students speak at home. It is not uncommon to count in Hebrew, German, Dutch, and Chinese on any given morning. We provide ample opportunities for parents and children to share their language and culture with the group. This is the foundation of a preschooler’s experience with foreign language.
Gardening and Outdoor Education
At Aspen Grove we emphasis that everything around us is connected to nature. Most of our food originates in nature —growing from the soil, swimming in the sea, flying through the air, or walking on the
earth’s surface. Nature inspires, refreshes, and nurtures us. At Aspen Grove the children plant gardens (and eat the results!) and spend significant time playing and exploring outdoors each day. When experiences with nature are embedded in the preschool curriculum and daily routine, children benefit physically, emotionally, and intellectually as they have new experiences, exercise their bodies, and enjoy the feeling of freedom that comes from being connected to the natural world. This also helps them to become good stewards of the earth’s resources!
As part of the Little Beats Preschool program, our students have a blast in a fast-paced playgroup setting, while thoroughly learning key elements to set them up for a lifetime of music appreciation. Each session provides a variety of exciting activities that include singing, dancing, instrument play, listening, chanting, and more. Studies have shown that children enjoy and can learn from not only simple melodies, but ALL music types. Because of this, our students learn music from around the world. We use what is happening around us to focus our musical education while also using music to foster our mental, physical, and emotional development. Most importantly, we move our bodies constantly and HAVE FUN!Music sessions are typically 45-minutes long, two to three times a week. A new song collection will be utilized every six to eight weeks, or closely following the Project Schedule at school. Family Events will be held for each new song collection to give friends and relatives a chance to experience our music classes and learn how to foster musical development at home!
Art
Art is infused throughout the day, with numerous opportunities to use professional-grade materials to paint, color, stamp, cut with scissors, draw, build, sculpt, and collage. At Aspen Grove Preschool we are interested in the process of making art, rather than the end product. Student artwork is displayed throughout the school, and we encourage the use of cork boards for individualized pieces to be hung at the children’s discretion. Our Art Specialist regularly works with the students both indoors and outdoors on activities that allow students to explore a variety of media, including fiber arts and earth arts. Activities are often used to enhance other curricular areas or project work, or may be art-for-art’s-sake.
Spanish and foreign language
Spoken and written Spanish is part of the student’s everyday life at school whether we are discussing our current project or writing the days of the week. Throughout the course of the day teachers interact with students through song, finger plays, words and phrases in Spanish. Common expressions such as "sit down please" are used interchangeably in both languages. In addition we encourage learning the languages that our students speak at home. It is not uncommon to count in Hebrew, German, Dutch, and Chinese on any given morning. We provide ample opportunities for parents and children to share their language and culture with the group. This is the foundation of a preschooler’s experience with foreign language.
Gardening and Outdoor Education
At Aspen Grove we emphasis that everything around us is connected to nature. Most of our food originates in nature —growing from the soil, swimming in the sea, flying through the air, or walking on the
earth’s surface. Nature inspires, refreshes, and nurtures us. At Aspen Grove the children plant gardens (and eat the results!) and spend significant time playing and exploring outdoors each day. When experiences with nature are embedded in the preschool curriculum and daily routine, children benefit physically, emotionally, and intellectually as they have new experiences, exercise their bodies, and enjoy the feeling of freedom that comes from being connected to the natural world. This also helps them to become good stewards of the earth’s resources!
