When young learners see education as a place to experiment, create, construct, and connect, they develop a more expansive mindset about what school can offer them. They experience education as a path of discovery, understanding, wonder, and joy.
These ideas are grounded in the Reggio Emilia inspired, project-based teaching and learning practiced at King School, a private school for early childhood education. We encourage our PreKindergarten (starting at age 3) and Kindergarten learners to collaboratively explore intentionally created vibrant classroom spaces where children are actively engaged in the process of learning from the earliest ages.
King uses a project-based teaching and learning approach in our PreKindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms to support the developmental range of our students as part of our private early childhood education program.
King’s teachers carefully design learning opportunities by listening to students’ ideas and questions and then creating the corresponding curriculum that allows young students to ask questions, gather data, make models, develop hypotheses, and teach others about their learning.
Academic emphasis areas include language, early literacy development, math, and science. Our teaching teams carefully curate the materials used in our classrooms. Children are encouraged to express their understanding of the world through a multitude of resources, including art supplies, building blocks, pencil and paper, and the tools of a scientist.
“We believe that curiosity is a natural ability that children bring to their learning – we encourage students to ask questions, make discoveries, think critically, analyze and solve problems, be good listeners, and have fun being involved in the dynamic process of learning. We value every child and build strong, safe classroom communities where exploration and discovery leads to mastery. ”
— Amy Vorenberg, Head of Lower School
When our youngest learners enter King classrooms at age three or four, they arrive as naturally curious and full of wonder and joy.
As they learn about problems and topics of interest to them, students interact with primary sources and share their knowledge through culminating projects and demonstration. They develop a deeper understanding of the value of learning, the importance of asking questions, and the value of research and inquiry to learn more about the world and about themselves.
Kindergarten students and their teachers take research in project work to new heights, as they look across the King campus to understand more about themselves and their school community.
Project studies include problems and topics of interest to children; students interact with primary sources and share their knowledge through culminating projects and demonstration.
Through project work, children are encouraged to be academic risk takers in a safe, secure environment. Within the context of a familiar, accepting classroom, they also try new activities such as acting in a play or standing in front of a group to perform a song. They learn that making a mistake is acceptable and part of the learning process. Children gain an awareness and appreciation of other people, both within our classroom and in the larger school community.
A group of six Upper School students and six staffulty, including Head of School Karen Eshoo, from multiple divisions and disciplines traveled together for and experienced an insightful and transformative experience at the NAIS People of Color Conference and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in December. As student Hanhah Greene '21 enthused, "What was so compelling about this conference was meeting people from all around the country living totally different lives, but were able to connect and find such close similarities between one another."
The process of following natural curiosity and wonder throughout the day, with guidance from the teacher, is central to King's use of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. The curriculum is self-guided, as students learn through experience in a relationship-driven environment.
The Class of 2020 has achieved success in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and on the stage; now they are preparing to pursue lives of ongoing inquiry and purpose in college. Congratulations to the 43 seniors who have been accepted and have already committed to attend their first choice college or university!
The Lower School Library was transformed into an interactive carnival complete with a Lego ferris wheel, games, and prizes as Grade 3 students presented their Motion Carnival on Wednesday afternoon. Students have been studying the properties of forces and motion and to further their understanding of the concepts, they created carnival games that demonstrate these properties and also explored engineering concepts through the design of each game.
Grade 5 students enthusiastically accepted the challenge of researching to become experts on their topic of choice and then applying their learning by authoring, creating, and presenting digital, nonfiction books. This informational writing initiative was part of the Grade 5 Writing Workshop that helps students master a variety of approaches to writing.
It was a weekend to celebrate the deep history of King School; our competitive athletics; a spirited community; and giving back. The weather cooperated (mostly) for Homecoming Weekend 2019 as families, staffulty, neighbors, friends, and alums - dating back to the Class of 1969 - gathered on campus for a fun-filled weekend.
Dr. Jean-Baptiste introduced a new series of parent education events: Hot Coffee, Hot Topics. These are parent/caregiver workshops and discussions to grow our collective social, intellectual, emotional capacity for navigating current cultural and social transformations that impact how children learn. In these events, parents and caregivers will engage with each other, learn, and talk about tools, strategies, and challenges for developing cultural competence and how to provide a full circle of support for students from school to home.
This fall, Grade 1 and 2 students are exploring their communities and learning 'How Stamford Works." Our teachers encourage students to ask questions and make their own discoveries, building critical thinking skills and experience as problem-solvers. What better way to learn about the Stamford community and how it works than to ask the Mayor himself!
It was a quick trip around the United States for visitors on Wednesday, May 22, as they attended the The Grade 4 State Fair. To prepare for the Fair, each student chose a state to research in class, using many different sources including books and websites. They created a poster board for the state and brought in props and a special food from their region for their audience to sample. The State Research Project is multi-disciplinary, with the learning crossing into special classes.
Earlier this week the Parents' Association welcomed Cristina Young as she presented Understanding the Teenage Brain: The Keys to Improving a Challenging Relationship. Ms. Young, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist with 25-years of experience, led an authentic discussion on the challenges and joys of parenting teenagers in today's environment.