This program is for children 4 years of age as of September 1st of the enrollment year. Children that turn 5 during the enrollment year stay with the class.
The 4 year old program follows the High/Scope curriculum implemented by the Hopwood School.
4 year olds are very interested in learning and doing. They are active learners and use all their senses for exploration. We encourage exploration by providing appropriate materials and planning active small group times. We enable children to be problem solvers by encouraging them do things on their own and to explore alternatives when applicable. We initiate and follow through on our High/Scope plan-do-review policy for each child. Our goal for each child is to have them become comfortable with decision making and planning what and how they will do something. Critical to the decision and planning is the subsequent review of what has been done. Learning areas are set up for ongoing activities in language, social activities, stories, art, music and logical thinking (classification, seriation, sequencing and number concepts).
Nature walks are scheduled weekly. Children explore the open fields and wooded areas of the Hopwood campus under the supervision of their teacher and aide. Animals, plants and weather are observed and discussed while exploring. Items are collected as well for study and discussion in the classroom.
4 year olds are also exposed to cooking and baking under supervision. Making vegetable soup and bread for Mother’s Day is a Hopwood tradition.
Please contact us if you are interested in our 4 year old programs!