The Preschool Classroom
The preschool classroom is perhaps the most important of the three areas of adult education. Parents are required to work one day each week in their child's class. Within the classroom, a variety of positive techniques for working with children are modeled as the teachers circulate through the various learning centers, observing activities, engaging children individually, modeling appropriate words and mannerisms for handling behavioral situations and facilitating the general flow of the day.
As a working parent, you will have the opportunity to observe your child, as well as other children as you assist in the classroom. Upon arriving to class, you will prepare your assigned activity for the day, making sure the related materials are available for the children. In addition, you will assist the children in completing the activity, facilitate and encourage conversation with open-ended questions, help the children gain independence and skills, and facilitate cooperative, interactive play.
Evening Parenting Classes
Evening parenting classes are divided into two types of meetings: class meetings, with the members from a particular class, and general meetings with the entire school membership. Attendance at these classes is mandatory, with one missed class per semester allowed. Please see the Requirements page for more details.
Class Meetings
In class meetings, parents meet as a large group with their child’s teacher one evening a month to review the upcoming curriculum and activities. Typically, a learning exercise is provided, whether it is a topic for discussion, a guest speaker or a field trip to explore a parenting topic. You will learn about behaviors and activities that are appropriate to the developmental age of your class, and techniques for handling such behaviors at home and in school. You will begin to understand the educational components of the activities as they relate to providing experiences for the children to learn. As you and your child progress through the classes, your knowledge base of young children will grow as you observe the children in objective ways, equipping and empowering you as a parent.
General Meetings
Parents attend school-wide general meetings, six times a year. Typically, three of the meetings are held on weekend days, and three are held on weekday evenings. These meetings typically feature a guest speaker focused on a topic of special interest to parents of young children.