Early Childhood Academics | Friends School Mullica Hill

Cardinals, Goldfinches, and Kindergarten

Students in our Early Childhood classes (Cardinals, Goldfinches, and Kindergarten) are developing a sense of self within a community of learners through purposeful play*. Nurturing teachers encourage independence and self-reliance in order for students to gain self-confidence and to become contributing members of a group.

Self-expression is emphasized as students are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts verbally, as well as through art, music, writing and dramatic imaginative play. Thematic units incorporate a diverse range of children’s literature, practical math concepts, hands-on science experiments, process oriented art projects, and socio-emotional skills.

In addition to the full time lead teacher and assistant, students receive expert instruction from each of our “essential” teachers in art, music, technology, and physical education. The early arc of Spanish instruction begins, which we strive to teach to fluency by 8th grade.

*To more fully explore our approach to early education pedagogy, we recommend reading Purposeful Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Igniting Deep & Joyful Learning Across the Day, by Kristine Mraz, Alison Porcelli, and Cheryl Tyler.

Early Childhood objectives for each student are:

• To cultivate a love of learning, imagination, and discovery;
• To play and work cooperatively;
• To develop a caring attitude;
• To find support as emergent readers;
• To strengthen academic skills as readiness develops.

Early Childhood Attendance Policy:

Learning is enhanced through a steady routine and rhythm. FSMH strives for this by requesting all students attend 3-5 consecutive days. Once a child’s schedule has been established, it should remain the same throughout the school year, unless parents would like to add more days.