Our high-ceilinged and spacious classrooms are vibrant epicenters of play and learning, and each space in every classroom is intentionally arranged by our teachers. The most powerful motivator to learn is the natural joy that comes from learning. There is a beauty and a purpose in the design and organization of all the spaces in our school, as well as the equipment and materials within it. The environment is rich in potential and is valued and cared for by children and adults.
Welcome to our vibrant, dynamic space where our students are encouraged to explore, create, and learn through hands-on experiences in various forms of art and expression. In our school, inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, the Atelier serves as a central hub for artistic exploration and discovery, fostering creativity, imagination, and self-expression.
Some of the Atelier’s key features and principles include:
Child-led exploration: Children are given the freedom to choose materials and activities based on their interests, passions, and curiosities. The Atelier is filled with a diverse range of art supplies, natural materials, and open-ended tools that inspire children to express themselves in different ways.
Artistic expression: The Atelier encourages children to engage in a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpting, collage, and dramatic play. Through these activities, children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and creative problem-solving abilities.
Atelierista facilitation: Our Atelierista, or studio teacher, guides and supports our students’ artistic explorations in the Atelier by observing the children’s interests and interactions, providing inspiration and encouragement, and facilitating meaningful learning experiences.
Documentation: Our teachers and Atelierista document students’ experiences and creations through photographs, videos, and written observations. This documentation serves as a form of assessment, reflection, and communication with parents, highlighting children’s progress, interests, and learning pathways.
Emergent curriculum: Learning experiences in the Atelier emerge from children’s interests, questions, and discoveries. Our teachers and Atelierista listen closely to children’s voices and ideas, co-constructing curriculum with them and adapting activities to meet their evolving needs and interests.
Collaboration and communication: Collaboration with peers, teachers, and visiting artists to work on projects and investigations is what our students do best. They learn to communicate their ideas, listen to others, negotiate differences, and work together toward shared goals.
Environment as the third teacher: The physical environment of the Atelier is carefully designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, and exploration. It is filled with natural light, flexible spaces, and inviting materials that invite children to engage in open-ended play and experimentation.
Upon entering our school, you will immediately find yourself in the vicinity of our beloved gym. It is the MOST popular area of our facility because it meets the children’s need to move! The gym has a spring gymnastic floor which provides for safety and extra bounce. In addition, we have a variety of large mats and gymnastics equipment used to build obstacle courses and practice gross motor skills. The back wall of the gym features a bouldering wall, -a fantastic place for kids to challenge themselves and continually navigate out of their comfort zones. Besides running, jumping, balancing, tumbling, and climbing, the children often use the gym as the landscape of their imaginative play. No matter how our students are using the gym, every time they enter it, they are developing their gross motor skills, coordination, proprioceptive awareness, self-esteem, and social skills!
Our playground was purposely designed to give children a true outdoor experience. The large canopy of trees gives the feeling of being in a forest and provides shady coverage from the hot summer sun. We have a green island of turf, reminiscent of what might be found in a clearing in the heart of a forest. A riding/walking path circles the turf. There is also a custom outdoor kitchen big enough for many chefs to work in at once and a large sandbox which is home to a fleet of construction vehicles, buckets, and digging tools. We love our many stumps, blocks, and planks used to design and build obstacles, ramps, bridges, all while encouraging safe risk-taking. This magical space encourages gross and fine motor work, along with imaginative play. Children practice self-regulation, group interactions, spatial awareness and a whole host of vital skills.
Our garden patio expands the variety of activities we can make available to our students. There is a large raised garden box for students to plant and dig in and they often spend the summer watering and watching the plants growing there. Often utilized for messy sensory play (and LOTS of water play!), this area makes way for deeper exploration in a small group setting. This open space is ideal for fine motor work and project art.
Please see our Tuition Guide for updated Center hours, based on class enrollment. Call us or click below to schedule a tour today!
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