Each day, Peter's Place is filled with exciting and enriching activites for children. In developing curriculum, the teachers focus on the individual needs and interests of the children in each class. There is careful thought put into where each child is developmentally and what materials or experiences will be both challenging and engaging for individual children and for the larger group. Below is a small sample of the huge range of ever-changing activites available for children at Peter's Place.
Building with big blocks
The large scale and weight of these blocks make them a great gross motor challenge and help increase spatial awareness.
Sand and water play
Sand and water are essential resources for young children. Children can explore and invent with these open-ended materials, doing hard work while also enjoying a sensory experience.
Writing
Language development is fostered by offering a wide range of always available tools and activities that encourage children to experiment with the beginning stages of reading and writing.
Sensory Play
The sensory input children receive from tactile ("messy") materials prompts the brain to process and organize information about the environment. Children grow to tolerate new textures and can become quite absorbed in the investigation process.
Easel painting
Painting is both a sensory experience for children and a form of creative expression.
Problem solving
Teachers spend time assisting children as they learn to work toward solutions that others can agree to while also advocating for their own needs.
Circle time games
Working together in a group game develops important skills like turn taking, rule following, and team building.
Playing with Playdough
Playdough is soothing to touch, has an infinite number of uses in imaginary play, offers opportunities for sharing, and strengthens the muscles in fingers and hands.
Working with manipulatives
Working with small manipulatives, whether they are blocks, building toys, or small figures, spurs the imagination and tests developing fine motor skills.
Dramatic play
Pretend play allows children to try on roles and practice behaviors they see around them. Whether they are putting out a house fire or inviting friends to tea, they are exploring the world they see.
Inventions and creative expression
Children are given many opportunities to build, invent and create with a variety of materials.
Swinging and climbing
Children's bodies need lots of time to twist, swing, climb, and jump so that they develop balance and body awareness, as well as to experience the joy of movement.