If your child will be 4 on or before September 1, he or she may participate in The Foundation Academy’s VPK Program for FREE!
The Sunflower Garden at The Foundation Academy
The Sunflower Garden provides a nurturing and creative learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. Our classroom environment is designed and prepared to create meaningful opportunities for learning.
Projects
One of the highlights of our program is our long-term exploration of projects. The projects undertaken may come from the teacher’s or student’s ideas, interests, thoughts and theories. Teachers often work on projects with small groups of children, while others may continue to involve themselves in other self-selected or self-generated activities and explorations.
Language
We teach phonics not only through sound but also through visualization and movement. This method involves the eyes, ears, mouth and body as they learn through all five senses. Children at this age learn best when using all these senses. Literature is taught daily through story telling. Story telling nurtures oral language, vocabulary and communication skills, which are being developed in children during the preschool years more than any other time in their lives.
Math
Math concepts are introduced in several different ways. Our hands-on projects, as well as our math centers, give children many opportunities to practice math. Manipulatives and activities are presented to the children during circle time, giving them guidance and instruction. Children are then able to choose and explore independently during center time.
Science and Cultural Awareness
The garden is a huge part of the day. By observing the garden, children learn to question, experiment and discover. The natural environment is a classroom itself, building curiosity and independence. Geography and Cultural Awareness is taught through songs and art and provides a theme for festivals and the arts.
The Arts
Art, music, and dance nurture the mind, body and spirit of the child. Children are able to express themselves with imagination and creativity. Painting, singing and movement is part of the daily routine and integrated in all areas of learning. Artwork is displayed in our Exhibition Hall and updated regularly. During the school year, the preschoolers are also a part of several performances in our Black Box Theater.
