Daily Rhythm
Preschoolers aged 3-5 years old each have their language to represent their learning, and each has an individual journey they will embark on. For that reason, we will give your child ample time to play in their indoor and outdoor spaces. They can choose from multiple learning areas to discover, investigate, imagine, seek, create ideas, extend their work, care for themselves and others, persist, participate, and build stronger brains. The daily schedule is flexible and may change to meet your child's needs and interests.
Arrival Routine - 7:30-9:00 am
To transition from home to school, children enter the centre with a friendly welcome from their educators. Children will identify their names to hang their labelled belongings, change to indoor shoes, practice greetings with each other, identify and express how they feel to their educators, and then wash their hands. Your child will learn practical life skills as they transition from home to school and develop their social, emotional, early literacy and communication skills.
Invitations for Discovery and Exploration
Educators design thoughtful invitations while understanding developmentally appropriate practices for children to develop various skills. Educators will also integrate Islamic & Arabic materials so children can create meaningful connections and instill a love of learning. During this time, educators assess, observe, and document your child's interests, abilities, needs, progress and interactions allowing a curriculum that organically emerges and is designed for the diverse children and families we serve.
Community Meetings
Children gather as a whole group to build a responsive classroom in which they set expectations and plans for the day, listen, share their ideas and reflect on their work and possible next steps. Community gatherings can occur outdoors or indoors, including practicing greeting songs and daily duas while creating and discussing connections to Allah's swt beautiful names. Your child will develop trusting and responsive relationships and build their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of belonging.
Group Inquiry & Project Work
Children and educators create an emergent curriculum around interests for group study. They begin the meeting by returning to their observations, questions, and hypotheses. Teachers often introduce materials, language or concepts that children may use to take their process and interests further. Your child will make decisions about the center or group that will allow them to do their research, investigation and exploration. The educator will guide, observe, document and encourage children to continue their process and inquiry.
Practical Life Skills
Numerous practical life, safety and care rituals inspired by the Montessori approach are integrated holistically into the day. Caring for self, the environment, grace & courtesy activities such as hand washing, setting up the table, watering plants, preparing snacks, wiping the tables, and more. Your child will gain health and wellness habits with real Practical Life materials, increasing their self-confidence, love and respect for the environments they live and play in.
Community Snack & Lunch - 10:00/12:00/3:00
Children gather for their home-packed nutritious am/pm snack and lunch in community-style seating. Educators guide your child in learning and reciting the before and after eating duas; join the children in having thoughtful conversations and sharing special learning moments. Your child will grow communication skills, extend learning, and build community.
Connect with Nature & Active Learning
Children prepare for the outdoors by changing into their outdoor gear. Children will have similar invitations from the indoors offered in the outdoor environment. Your child will develop physical literacy, large motor functions, learn to observe seasonal changes, explore living things, connect, respect, and appreciate the outdoor environment created for us.
Farewell Routine - 3-5:30 pm
To transition from school to home, children will change into their shoes, gather their belongings and practice good-bye greetings with peers. Educators will encourage your child to answer what gave them joy at Amana, ask what they look forward to when they return, and give a warm farewell.