The Chai Center Preschool and Camp
Since the start of our Nature Explore Classroom, it has been a main highlight of our Preschool program. Every year we focus on a “farm-to-table” concept creating a Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall garden as well as utilizing our Outdoor Playscape in all types of weather.
Our “farm-to-table” concept begins in September once school is in session. In the classrooms we start bringing in different types of seeds for the children to explore, sort and examine. Next, we choose what seeds we would like to plant and begin to take care of. As winter approaches, the planting starts and the children patiently wait to see what begins to grow. These different flowers, vegetables and herbs continue to grow and be taken care of in the Preschool until it is warm enough to move them into our outside garden. Then, the children help transplant some of what has been growing inside as well as planting new flowers, vegetables and herbs to fill our garden. Once in the garden, the children help to water the plants as they grow and examine and discuss the changes they see happening. After some time, we start to have vegetables and herbs that we can harvest, bring into the classrooms, eat, cook with and share with all of our Preschool families. This process of harvesting and eating what our garden produces continues throughout the summer and leads us right into the next school year where we starting planning what our garden will look like the next year.
Fall offers the children many opportunities for a scavenger hunt to search for leaves and other Fall objects such as acorns, pinecones and twigs. One enjoyable lesson the Pre K students have is reading the book “Leaf Man” by Lois Elhert. After reading the book and the scavenger hunt, they create some amazing art
using their findings.
This winter has provided many opportunities for our students to utilize our Outdoor Playscape in all types of weather. As soon as snow starts to fall, the children are planning different explorations outside. In the mornings, they come in with all of their snow gear packed, eager to get outside. Recently, after reading a book about penguins painting in the snow, our 3-year-old class brought out paint with them and started painting the snow all different colors just like the penguins in the story did. Our mud-kitchen can also turn into a “snow-kitchen” where the children are busily cooking and inventing new “meals.” We can’t wait to see the many creations to come in our Nature Explore Classroom.
