1st Class After Class continues to focus on building literacy skills for the children in our programs. Literacy is fundamental to one’s learning, growing, and comprehension of the world. The ability to read, write, and think critically is essential in all facets of our lives.
Children are free to explore various art and collage materials in this area. The children are encouraged to express themselves through different mediums with the focus on the process rather than the product.
Small muscles in the hand are developed while handling and positioning puzzle pieces. The recognition of shape and pattern needed to complete puzzles are an important pre-reading and pre-writing skill.
A nature and science center is an integral part of the classroom and offers hands-on learning. The nature and science learning centers include a variety of science tools, materials, and collections for children to explore and investigate. The materials in the classroom are chosen to support science concepts being explored based on children's interest and concern for our environment.
Loose parts are open-ended materials that can be arranged, re-arranged and combined in many ways. The loose parts can include items from nature such as sticks, rocks and seashells or synthetic items. Children are free to choose and create with any combination of materials. Loose parts allow for creative expression, imagination, risk taking, an understanding of cause and effect and problem solving.
Our program at 1st Class is planned to encourage the children’s understanding of and involvement in the broader community. The program includes various ethnic and cultural activities. Cultural pictures, manipulative toys, books, dolls, dress up clothes and music are incorporated to develop an awareness of the variety of cultures which exist in our society.
Music time is an important and fun part of the children’s day. As children move and sing, they breathe more deeply delivering more oxygen to the brain. Music enhances mood, memory and attention, our educators incorporate various activities including movement and sing along to the program.
Music and fitness (dance, yoga) programs are provided once a month at the center. These are inclusive programs facilitated through the activity fee. The programs are taught by professional instructors that have been trained in the various disciplines.
At 1st Class, our staff pride themselves on giving children the opportunity to explore their interests and build both leadership and social capacity among their peers. The most effective way to do this is by helping them create their own clubs!