Kindergarten at Gardner

“Young children are incredibly intuitive, naturally creative and deeply curious. We need to harness this natural learning ability rather than inhibit it.” -Sir Ken Robinson

Kindergarten is a time when children are moving from an independently-chosen, play-based curriculum with a strong social focus to a program that blends academic instruction, social interaction, and experiential learning. Children in Kalama learn through direct instruction, hands-on choices in specific subject areas, and self-directed exploration with a continuing emphasis on problem-solving in all areas. The program emphasizes learning skills in context and through play.

In our Kalama classroom, there is still choice time where the children are presented with a variety of stations or center areas in which to explore. There are times throughout the day when the choices are less broad. In literacy, science, and math, the activity choices will relate to each subject. Making choices and solving problems gives children practice and self-assurance in their abilities to handle the difficulties that arise on a moment-to-moment basis. Continuous practice will allow the children to face increasingly difficult tasks without becoming overwhelmed. Each problem is a building block, and throughout this year the students develop a strong foundation in how to overcome difficulties and learn from their experiences. The goal of problem-solving in the classroom is to empower students to think critically and to recognize that they have the resources they need to solve the majority of the problems they face.