Skytown is a play-based preschool. Children are hard at work when they play. Through play, children develop their imagination, dexterity, cognitive and emotional abilities. As they playfully interact with their surroundings they practice conquering fears, develop new competencies, learn to negotiate, resolve conflicts, increase vocabulary, and begin to define themselves as individuals separate from others.
We use elements of the Reggio Emilia philosophy to allow the curriculum to emerge from the children’s own interests. Children move freely indoors and outdoors for most of the day, exploring their world as they choose. During this exploration they deepen their understanding of the natural world, math and science, literacy, and art. Play also allows them to develop their social-emotional awareness and skills.
Curriculum
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The preschool years are a time of enormous social and emotional development. Children are learning how to understand and identify their own emotions. They are learning to recognize those emotions in others. They are learning how their own actions may affect others’ emotions. And they are learning how to negotiate those interactions with language.
The teachers and parents at Skytown work together to create an environment where children know themselves, express themselves, and have respect and empathy for others.
Math and SCIENCE
We provide a wide variety of materials to measure, stack, build, take apart, and otherwise explore. Tools like the sensory bin pictured here allow children to explore volumes and weights while also providing tactile stimulation. Our large sand area is perfect for digging and building projects.
Language, Literacy, and communication
Literacy happens in our classroom in many ways. Sometimes a child is at a point in his or her development to spontaneously pick up a sample alphabet and try to replicate it.
Other times, literacy springs out of a different activity, like at our indoor painting station. Our mixed-age classroom allows for scaffolding--for example, when a 3-year-old watches a 5-year-old write a letter, then tries to replicate it himself.
CREATIVE ARTS
Art happens everywhere at Skytown. It happens in our sand boxes and through our building blocks. It happens sitting at the art table and standing up at easels. Many different art materials are available every day, and children are encouraged to play and create as they see fit.
nature
We love to observe plants, insects, and birds. And since kids always have access to the outdoors, they are often found looking for spiders, splashing in puddles, and listening to the sounds of mother nature.
Skytown’s Core Values
Community
As a cooperative preschool, community is an essential element of who we are. We are a nurturing and supportive community of children, families, teachers and staff who practice “love in action.” This love can be witnessed between the family and teacher relationships, through a sense of care and support among the parent community when things get hard, and in the supportive environment we create for children to grow.
Respect
We deeply respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child and adult).
We take our children seriously. We listen to what they say, pay attention to their development, and work towards supporting their needs. We also respect each other as parents and our diverse family practices.
Trust
As a community we seek help from one another when we need it. We trust that everyone in our community is doing the best they can. Families trust one another to care for each other's children. Teachers, staff and parents develop deep trust through their daily partnerships, both inside and outside the classroom, and this supports the smooth operation of our school. We support children in trusting their own voice and to know that any adult in the community will help them if/when needed.
Voice/Communication
Communication, as the exchange of information and understanding, requires courageous and authentic dialogue with ourselves and others. Learning how to use our voice in that exchange--in a way that serves and respects both the sender and receiver--is an important part of cultivating social-emotional wellness. We practice open and honest communication within our parent community. We actively model and support children to develop social-emotional wellbeing, including expressing their feelings and needs, practicing empathy, trusting their own voice, and becoming confident in who they are are individuals.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We work to create a deep sense of inclusion and belonging--where everyone in our community is welcomed, valued, seen and are able to bring their authentic and whole selves forward. We promote curiosity and understanding of experiences and viewpoints other than our own while upholding principles of fairness and justice. We commit to identifying and removing structural barriers to access, participation, and equitable learning opportunities. We believe in self-reflection and courageous conversations and we commit to continuous learning about how our beliefs and actions have been shaped by our experiences of the systems of privilege and oppression in which we live and operate. Learn more here.
Conflict Resolution/Restorative Justice
We believe that children can effectively resolve their interpersonal conflicts with support and guidance by attentive and caring adults. We actively support children through a conflict resolution and Restorative Justice process that allows space for children to express their feelings and needs, attend to harm, and discover/explore solutions to make things right. We believe in authentically restoring relationships, instead of forced apologies.