Physical

Physical development is a key area of growth and exploration for preschoolers. It is closely tied to their academic and social growth. It is through their large muscles and play that young children often learn things––making that strong connection between their hands and their heads.

Our preschoolers spend time outside in the sunshine and fresh air at least twice a day. With a growing command of their large muscles, many fours-year-olds are curious to climb, run, jump, balance, and twirl. Tumbling, bike riding, hauling blocks, and dancing are among favorite activities. Their experiences with different types of movement helps them negotiate space and gain a sense of mastery and growing command over their physical selves. Our preschoolers begin to see themselves as learners, athletes, and members of an active community.

Four-year-olds are still developing their small motor skills and need a rich variety of hands-on materials to manipulate. Puzzles, Legos, paint, scissors, clay, and crayons are everyday materials available for our preschoolers. Many use their growing small motor control to work towards competence at activities like painting, cutting, and dressing themselves. As each child becomes more competent in fine motor control, he or she often exclaims with satisfaction, “I can do it myself!”

Because of the high value we place on physical development, our children also attend physical education classes with a specialist. The classes focus on gross motor activities and basic organization through individual discovery and group activities. Using imaginative stories and music, the children are encouraged to learn to use a variety of balls, hoops, bean bags and jump ropes. Woven throughout activities are lessons on healthy food choices and the value of rest.

Music and Spanish classes include many movement activities.