Dragonfly Class
“We use the few precious years before kindergarten to nurture the development of creativity that can only be learned through play and fun with friends.”
Dragonfly children go through a special transition. When four year old children are preparing for kindergarten, they are creating a bridge between two worlds: the world of childhood and the world of elementary school.
Kindergarten has a primarily academic curriculum. There is no time for dress-ups, trains or toys. Kindergarten teachers have state-mandated bench marks to meet, so time for free choice is limited. This is why we use the few precious years before kindergarten to nurture the development of creativity that can only be learned through play and fun with friends.
Our classroom includes some of the same kindergarten wall items: a calendar, weather chart, chores chart, letter of the week, etc. We practice sitting in circle, raising hands before speaking, and thinking of words that begin with this week’s letter sound.
But we move a bit slower, allowing children more time to make this huge transition.
Dragonfly children also have time with our art teacher in the art room, participate in gardening, create art for our yearly art show, baking and cooking.
Our Dragonfly teachers facilitate the development of independence, confidence, and healthy self-esteem. We make sure each child has the tools required to conquer the challenges of entering a new school, including conflict resolution & social skills.
At the end of the year, Dragonflies reach the same place of readiness as the Frogs class. They are fully prepared for their next adventure into a new elementary school experience.