Classroom Activities
408.871.7350
771 Waldo Road
Campbell CA 95008
771 Waldo Road
Campbell CA 95008
Sunnymont's Classroom Activities
At Sunnymont, we believe children learn best through play. Our curriculum is a mixture of that planned by the teachers with specific learning goals in mind, that provided by opportunities for play and exploration, and that which builds on the childrens interests and follows the directions they provide us.
Playdough Table
This is a great place for some child to ease into the classroom. Tactile activities call to children while providing them a chance to develop their sensory processing. It gives them an opportunity to do something while looking around the classroom and see what is going on. It's also a great way to create, and work on dexterity. Throughout the year, different kinds of tools and props enhance playdough play.
Dramatic Play Area
This is a wonderful play area that we change through out the year. Some times it's a house, a doctors office, post office, kitchen with chefs and an enthusiastic supply of adult diners. By playing out the adult roles they see around them, children build identity and self-esteem, as well as enhancing cognitive development as they make sense of the world around them and explore different roles and interactions. A variety of dress-up clothing is available to the kids at all times.
Group Time
Each class has one or two group times per class session, led by the teacher. Everyone sings, dances, stomps, touches their toes, etc. This is also a time to practice listening to stories, to celebrate birthdays, to talk about classroom issues and make plans as a class, and to experience being part of the large group.
Music Area
Songs and music are a part of group times and parent activities with the children. We encourage children to learn the joy of singing, and some of the foundations of understanding of pitch, tempo, and music as artistic expression. Musical instruments are always available to the children. In addition to a child-welcoming piano, A variety of musical instruments are rotated in and out of this area for the kids to experiment with.
Manipulative Activities
We give children lots of chances to work with their hands and fingers, and to consider cognitive concepts as well. While manipulative activities happen all over the school, one table is set aside for a manipulative activity each day. This table offers patterning blocks, pegs, puzzles, beads, building sets, etc, offering many different ways for kids to work on their fine motor skills. They often and quite naturally begin to create patterns and match or group different object. Skills that will later help them in math and organization.
Library
We have a library corner where we have plenty of books for your child to explore or to be read to. Children are allowed to check out the paperback or bendy books (as we call them), and the library often features books the children have created themselves
Science Center
At the science center children will get to explore life science. Science for young children is about discovering the world around them and how it works, learning to ask scientific questions, and learning to observe, explore, and consider ideas. Throughout the year, we explore several different inquiries. We might be growing plants, studying ants, sand and rocks, checking out birds nests, hatching silkworm caterpillars and watching their life cycles, or even studying animals feet. In the spring, we often set up an incubator and watch chickens hatch and grow.
Art
As young children explore art, they learn about color, shape, form, technique while building coordination and creative expression. Our art is process (rather than product) oriented, and our goal is to have children explore a variety of techniques and media for both 2 and 3 dimensional art. Often, art springs from other classroom curriculum. We may make spice collages while grinding spice at the manipulatives table, and cooking with spices at the cooking table, for instance. In addition to the art table, painting easels are usually available as well.
Squeaky
Let's not forget our favorite guinea-pig. The children help care for and feed our little friend. Caring for an animal helps children learn to nurture, be gentle, and take responsibility. Many children come in to school bearing treats for Squeaky, and look forward to caring for her.