EARLY LEARNING CENTER

In Gifft Hill School's Early Learning programs, academic rigor means focusing on personal discovery and fostering a deep and enduring sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around us. Purposeful play builds the essential foundation for literacy and numeracy, and for becoming a respectful and responsible member of a community of learners. 

Twice a year, students pause during their regularly scheduled classes to focus on project-based learning around the STEAM theme. 

Academic rigor looks a lot like play! Students build a foundation for math, science, and engineering by working with patterns, building structures with blocks, and using calendar math.

Students plant their own gardens in our signature EARTH program classes. Young students explore the world around them through nature walks and weather talks.

An enduring love of language and literature is fostered through daily read-alouds, and activities like puppet shows and reader's theater. Students begin learning to shape letters by working with "Mat Man" manipulatives. 

The Spanish Immersion program honors our commitment to celebrating a multicultural community while also enriching students' language development. Exposure to a bilingual (English-Spanish) environment occurs daily through art, song, and imaginative play.

Motor skills, balance, and coordination are nurtured during daily playground time and twice-weekly movement classes.

Students learn how to make positive contributions to our community, and build responsibility and independence, through class jobs and daily circle time. They put these skills to use during regular field trips, learning buddies, and classroom visits by community members.