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|  UPDATE: The Open House for enrolled preschool families has been rescheduled from Wednesday, August 31 to Friday, September 9. Time and location remain the same (6:00 - 7:30pm at Schibel Teaching Farm campus) Nature Preschool offers experiences typically found in child-centered programs such as discovery-based learning through play, sensory exploration, large and fine motor activities, creative expression, making friends and developing social skills. What’s special about our preschool is that we use the natural world as a catalyst for children’s growth and development.
Inspired by the work of Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods,” we have become members of the Children & Nature Network and the Farm-Based Education Association. Our program is also currently the only Nature Explore Classroom in the state of Oregon, certified by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Mission Our mission is to provide a premier early childhood environment which meets the developmental needs of the whole child, while inspiring them to build a lifelong connection with the natural world around them. Philosophy At Schibel Teaching Farm’s Preschool we believe that children are intrinsically motivated to learn. Our teaching staff promotes learning by: • Providing an environment which encourages discovery, experimentation, and the opportunity to see the results of one’s actions. • Developing activities that encourage growth based on children’s abilities and interests. • Encouraging problem-solving and reflection by asking open-ended questions and providing information in response to children’s ideas, insights, and concerns. • Assisting children in their interactions with each other and offering opportunities for cooperative learning. • Appreciating the individuality of children and families while celebrating diversity.
Curriculum The preschool curriculum focuses on the whole child, promoting growth in physical, social, emotional and intellectual areas. We use Small Wonders, a nature education curriculum from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science that emphasizes a hands-on approach and experiential learning. We supplement Small Wonders with our own selection of classroom activities which emphasize vocabulary building through conversation, books, stories, finger-plays, and the arts. 
At Schibel Teaching Farm, children have daily experiences with nature in the classroom and on our campus: · planting, tending and tasting from organic vegetable gardens; · replenishing the soil through worming and composting; · feeding, grooming, petting, and caring for farm animals and pets; · exploring local nature areas on walks and hikes; · building and creating art with seeds, mud, feathers, twigs and other natural items · discovering that our actions matter – that we all have a lasting impact on the natural world around us.
As you might imagine from this description, students will need to be dressed for outdoor activity in all kinds of weather. Based upon seasonal changes, the curriculum includes art, music, social and cognitive skill development, gross and fine motor skill development, and lots of natural science exploration. Children will be building their knowledge through their first-hand experiences with nature, classroom materials, and their relationships with peers and adults.
Enrollment & Eligibility Eligibility for preschool is determined primarily by the child’s age on December 1 in the year of enrollment. However, class placement is ultimately determined by each child’s unique cognitive, verbal and social development, which we can assess to ensure the best fit for your child. Please note that sometimes a 4 year-old will be most comfortable in a class that has mostly 3 year-olds; occasionally a 2 year-old is best-suited in an environment with mostly 4 year-olds, practicing pre-reading and pre-writing skills. For this reason, we encourage the use of class names (Daisies, Cloverbuds, etc.), rather than ages (2-3’s class, 4-5’s class), as ages can vary widely within each class.
Preschool Program Goals
The most important goals of our preschool curriculum are for children to get along well with others and become enthusiastic learners. We want children to become more independent, self-confident, curious learners who can work well with others, not just in preschool, but all through their lives. We do this by creating purposeful and productive play experiences that help children grow in all areas and, as they approach school age, the introduction of pre-literacy and other academic skills. | |
| Daisies Social/Emotional Developing independence/self-confidence Increasing self-control Developing the ability to follow directions and routines Enhancing problem solving skills
Physical Developing large motor skills through outdoor play: balancing, running, jumping Developing fine motor skills through activities such as stringing beads, fingerplays, finger-painting, using clay, and other “handwork”
Cognitive Introducing logic skills such as sorting, classifying, and counting Developing and improving memory skills Introducing concept of sounds and letters
Literacy/Language Using words to communicate with others Learning to use words to represent thoughts and feelings Improving listening skills Recognizing and reciting colors and shapes
| | Cloverbuds Social/Emotional Expanding the ability to follow instructions Learning to make friends Learn what it means to be part of a group Learning to care for other people and animals Developing skills self-esteem and responsibility
Physical Increasing large motor skills through outdoor play: climbing, skipping, lifting objects Developing balance and coordination through jumping, hopping, throwing and catching Increasing fine motor skills through activities such as buttoning, cutting, drawing, brush-painting, writing, and other “handwork”
Cognitive Introducing the concept of time, telling time Developing thinking skills such as the ability to solve problems, to ask questions, and to compare and make patterns Introducing the concept of value and numbers
Literacy/Language Developing pre-writing skills: understanding the purpose of print, recognizing and reciting letters and words, and writing for a purpose Introduction to classic children’s literature | |
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2011-2012 Preschool Calendar September 9 Preschool Open House 6:00pm-7:30pm September 12 First Day of School November 11 Veterans Day-Program is Closed (Federal Holiday) November 21-25 Thanksgiving Break-Program is Closed December 19-23 Winter Break-Child care available, no preschool classes December 26-30 Winter Break-Program is Closed January 16 Martin Luther King Day-Program is Closed (Federal Holiday) February 20 Presidents Day-Program is Closed (Federal Holiday) March 26-30 Spring Break-Child care available, no preschool classes May 28 Memorial Day-Program is Closed (Federal Holiday) June 1 Last Day of School/Cloverbuds Preschool Graduation
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