| The Barn has designed and implemented a child-centered philosophy that emphasizes the importance of the whole child: his or her social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. The environment and curriculum of the school create a warm atmosphere conducive to the child’s natural curiosity and desire to explore, to discover, and to create “new things.” We believe that young children are able to define and develop their own interests with receptive, sensitive, and supportive adults. The program fosters the growth and reinforcement of the child’s positive self-image. The program does not dictate success and failure, or good and bad in the individual child.
The physical set-up of the school is such that a child can explore both indoors and out: art, literature, music, science, movement and physical development. This exploration may involve peers, an older or younger child, one of the teachers or parents, or it can be done alone.
Play is the natural way a child learns, and it is one of the most effective kinds of learning. Children are born with a natural curiosity that makes them want to touch, taste, smell, see, and hear everything. For this reason, most of the morning at The Barn is devoted to self-directed activities. Special projects in science, art, and dramatic play are available each day and are often related to each other to form a study unit. Teachers and parent helpers are always there to encourage valuable and productive play.
The Barn membership is purposely kept small because we want to foster an extended family atmosphere in which adults and children know and care about each other. This group of parents, teachers, and children supports each other inside and outside of school. |
