Almost from the moment they’re born, children are reaching, grasping, and exploring everything around them. Touching an object (and gumming it) is how infants gather and process information about their environment.
It can be helpful to think of preschoolers as tiny explorers or scientists. They are constantly running experiments to glean information. Through hands-on learning, they discover how much sand fits into a receptacle or what happens when something is pushed in a tub of water. They watch balloons float and balls fall. All this information is funneled into their schema of understanding the world. By allowing children to be active learners rather than passive listeners, The Gardner School promotes hands-on learning for kids. Here are a few ways we do just that:
1. The Gardner School makes S.T.E.A.M learning a priority.
So many adults understand the importance of early literacy, and many preschool activities are built around letters and reading. However, numbers and science are just as important to introduce early. A child’s first few experiences with S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) can be as simple as mixing two substances together, such as sand and water. Or, it can entail building towering structures out of blocks. When presented with a collection of dissimilar objects, children often separate them into smaller groups. Comparing the sizes of these separate groups is actually a child’s first encounter with math. Although they may look simple, these learning activities are the initial step needed to build curiosity and excitement about S.T.E.A.M concepts.
2. The Gardner School encourages outdoor play.
Kids are made to be outside! Anyone who has watched children on a playground knows that outdoor play is essential to their health and well-being. By climbing ladders and sliding down slides, kids are honing their gross motor skills and building strong bones and muscles. They’re also getting a good dose of vitamin D, which can help offset many childhood illnesses. Dedicated outdoor playtime gives children the opportunity to be in the sunshine, breathe in some fresh air, and have plenty of space to move and explore, which is important for both mental and physical health. TGS offers little ones ample playtime outside to help kids grow.
3. The Gardner School assists with motor development.
One of the most important developmental skills preschoolers are learning is refining their motor development. In order to support later skills like writing, a child’s fine motor skills must be developed early. We provide our little ones access to toys that encourage small hand movements such as locks, latches, play-dough, lacing toys, paper crafts and other small items to prepare their finger muscles for markers, crayons, and paintbrushes later.
4. The Gardner School helps kids develop all five senses.
Hands-on learning means experiencing the world with all five senses. We provide a variety of enrichment opportunities to assist in sensory development. To promote the sense of touch, our classrooms hold manipulatives made of many different materials. Our cooking classes and meals together introduce little ones to different flavors, textures, and smells. Our art activities let children experiment with colors and shapes, and our music enrichment encourages children to play instruments and sing songs.
Facilitating Hands-On Learning at School and At Home
All the activities that make up a child’s day at The Gardner School are targeted towards expanding their learning and engaging their minds. We have an academic curriculum that doesn’t just consist of worksheets and repetition. Instead, our students are encouraged to experience learning firsthand. To learn why parents choose The Gardner School for their children to grow and learn, contact us to learn more or to schedule a virtual tour. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School for engaging, hands-on learning for their preschoolers.