Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool Curriculum
"Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water".~Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach
At RAMPP, we embrace the philosophy that children thrive when engaged in play-based learning. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed, drawing from various child development theories that highlight the importance of trusting children's natural learning processes. By allowing children to immerse themselves in activities, we create interconnected experiences that foster curiosity and growth.
Learning Through Play
At Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool, we understand that children thrive through active, hands-on engagement. Our progressive play-based curriculum is designed to foster creativity, social skills, and a solid foundation in STEM concepts. With dedicated areas for music & movement, imaginative play, science, math & manipulatives, block play, and a mini atelier in each classroom, children can explore and learn in a dynamic environment.
STEM
STEM is an acronym for the integration of the four academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Emphasizing STEM in education encourages children to think logically, problem solve and apply science, math and technology skills to equip students with the skills they will need throughout their lives. STEM concepts will be taught throughout the day integrated with the other activities going on in the classroom.
Literacy
Foundational literacy skills are essential for children's academic and lifelong success. Our approach at RAMPP creates a rich learning environment where each child's unique style is embraced. By focusing on vocabulary, phonological awareness, and comprehension, we ensure that children engage with literacy in a way that resonates with them. This nurturing atmosphere fosters a love for reading and writing, creating confident learners.
The Project Approach
Children have a strong disposition to explore and discover. The Project Approach builds on natural curiosity, enabling children to interact, question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, reflect, and more. We have several ways that we use the project approach. We have intended projects, environmental projects, daily life projects, and self-guided projects. Intended projects are foundational and we work on intended projects during meetings. These projects will continue for 2 years. They are focused around a beginning question and continue to develop as time goes on. The environmental, daily life, and self-guided projects, are child led projects. These projects develop from their everyday play and questions.
Kindergarten Readiness
The whole of our curriculum helps children prepare for kindergarten. During the year prior to kindergarten entrance, we provide a number of activities for the children and their parents to help them prepare for kindergarten, both academically and in the socio-emotional sense. Some of these activities include parent meetings which will give you more information about what you can do to help your child prepare for kindergarten and to prepare yourself for the next step. We have Kindergarten "Boot Camp" week for the rising kindergarteners. The name Kindergarten Boot Camp came from one of our first students to graduate from Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool. We are not sure why he called it that, but we fell in love with the name and have used it ever since. This week gives the rising kindergarteners time to learn more about the new adventure that is waiting for them in kindergarten. Our rising kindergarteners have a Love Dinner in May. The Love Dinner is when the children get a chance to share with their families all they have learned at RAMPP. They plan a meal, decorations, cook the meal, serve the meal, and clean up. Our children take pride in every step of this process, demonstrating their knowledge and capabilities. It's a beautiful reflection of our commitment to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
Nature Play
At RAMPP, we prioritize outdoor play, aiming for 1-1.5 hours of nature exploration each session. Our playground features elements like a mud kitchen, sand area, climbing logs, loose parts, a stage, balance bikes, and other items we add in to support the children’s exploration and investigations. This allows children to engage with their environment actively. Research shows that outdoor play fosters independence, social skills, and a deep connection to nature. By integrating these elements into our curriculum, we are committed to providing a holistic learning experience that nurtures curiosity and growth.