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Fall 2024 - Transitional Kindergarten Program

TK will be available to students 4 years of age, or turning 5 between

October 2 - December 2, 2024.

Learn about Barnhart. Complete a request for information and schedule your campus tour today.

 

"Every child is unique and will express their interest

in many different ways". -Loris Malaguzzi

Immerse your child in a Transitional Kindergarten program where they will take the lead in their own education through play, project-based learning, collaborative work with others, and rich opportunities for creative expression and exploration. Our program is designed to support the social, emotional, and physical needs of children as young as 4.5 years of age, setting them up to thrive and succeed in our Kindergarten program. At Barnhart, your child will explore, learn, and discover the world around them. With a low student-to-teacher ratio (14 per class maximum), each student receives nurturing individualized attention, encouragement, and reassurance as they develop new skills, and receive gentle, loving care throughout the day. They will enter Kindergarten as an academically, socially, and emotionally confident student.

Barnhart’s TK program cultivates a student-centered environment that encourages children to learn through experience, exploration, and self-expression. We believe children are innately curious and capable of initiating their own learning.

Through play, and project-based learning, our TK students play a role in directing their education. Our mission is to provide children with a space where they feel safe, loved, and ready to nurture their curious minds.

 

 

Key Points:

  • Designed for students who would benefit from one more year of preschool experience before entering Kindergarten.

  • Our TK class will be led by experienced, certified, and dedicated educators who specialize in early childhood education and are trained in differentiating instruction to the unique needs of young children.

  • The curriculum will be age-appropriate, play-based, and aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations, focusing on early literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and critical thinking skills.

  • Children will have the same resources and extracurricular activities as our elementary students. Early exposure to Art, Music, P.E., Makerspace, and Spanish makes for a seamless transition to our elementary school program.

  • Teachers will use Positive Discipline techniques to model and guide positive behaviors.

  • Class sizes will be kept small to ensure personalized attention and a nurturing, caring learning environment.

  • Students must be 4 by September 1, 2024

  • Transitional Kindergarten will be held Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Philosophy

Guidance: Childhood begins with curiosity and exploration. Our students are valued, heard, seen, and supported with positive affirmation. Each child is recognized and celebrated for their unique talents and gifts. Our students gain a sense of comfort and belonging at school as they are nurtured and loved by experienced, equipped, and caring educators who guide and facilitate their learning. 

 

Safety: Routine is important for each child’s development. Our teachers plan and facilitate a love for learning through a play-based curriculum and social experiences appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. Children learn to advocate respectfully for themselves and others, negotiate, compromise, and make their voices heard. By providing security, safety, and stability, children build confidence.

 

Discovery: Explorations in language, literacy, science, math, STEAM, cooking, music, dramatic play, and art are strategically embedded into our curriculum. Learning becomes a daily adventure as children engage with stories, drawing, clay, shadow play, building, creating, experimenting, songs, and free exploration inside and outside the classroom.

 

Collaboration: Through project-based learning, teachers create a focal point of study around the children’s interests. Asking the children to help direct the course of learning allows them to feel heard and respected and encourages their sense of self-worth. Our teachers encourage students to collaborate and work together by using dialogue, negotiation, and respect.

 

Growth: As children make their way through our program, they slowly transition from the early stages of child development to being socially, emotionally, and academically prepared for our Kindergarten environment. We work hand-in-hand with our Kindergarten teacher to ensure Kindergarten readiness.

 

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Reggio Inspired Play-Based Learning

Our Transitional Kindergarten program incorporates a play-based curriculum, inspired by Reggio Emilia practices, and dedicated to the student’s interests. Those interests are explored through project-based learning, including music, movement, exposure to the Spanish language, outdoor exploration, stories, dramatic play, sensory play, and more.

 

Expected Learning Results 

Our students develop competence and confidence in the following early childhood domains:

  • Gross Motor Skills

  • Fine Motor Skills

  • Language Skills

  • Logic and Reasoning Skills

  • Critical Thinking Skills

  • Social-Emotional Skills

  • Self-help and Adaptive Skills

  • Citizenship and Values