MBUSD Kindergarten Philosophy

We believe that the basis of a kindergarten program should be focused on embracing the uniqueness of the young child and provide opportunities for each child to become a lifelong, self-directed, enthusiastic and creative learner.

We as teacher are facilitators. We are here to assist children in their learning. During this special kindergarten year, the creativity of the children becomes the driving force of the curriculum. The Meadows kindergarten program embraces the points made in the article "Early Years are Learning Years" by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

A kindergarten classroom should have the following indicators:

• Children are playing and working with materials or other children.
• Children have access to various activities throughout the day such as block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as legos, peg boards, and puzzles.
• Children are working on different activities during the same time frame.
• Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.
• The classroom is decorated with the children’s original artwork, their own writing using various stages of writing, and their unique and creative accomplishments.
• Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences.
• Children work on projects and have long periods of time to play and explore.
• Children have the opportunity to play outside everyday
• Teachers read books to children throughout the day.
• Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
• Children and their parents look forward to school. Children are happy.
• The focus will be on the development of the child as a whole.