Learning Looks Like This

A group of children is playing in the dramatic play area. They announce that they have created a grocery store for the classroom. One child places all of thepretend food into a shopping cart saying, “This is all mine. I am buying it all.” Another child groans, “Hey, I wanted to buy some of that food!” The teacher asks the children, “What should we do? We have two shoppers and there’s no food left in the store.” The room is quiet while everyone thinks. The children suggest that the shoppers could “take turns” buying all the food. The teacher guides the conversation. “What other people do we need in the grocery store? Who willxhelp this shopper check out?” The child with all the groceries suggests, “You can be the cashier when I am the shopper, and then I will be the cashier for you!” Another child says, “I will be the bagger!” The teacher validates the children’s creative resolution. “You’ve come up with good ideas for taking turns!” she says.

Later in the day, the teacher reads a book about taking turns, noting the different jobs that the group had when they played grocery store. The benefits of taking turns are discussed, and the children become more prepared for verbal negotiation.

Program

The LES preschool program offers three-, four-, and five-morning options (8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.).
In addition, parents may choose any combination of days of the following:

• Before school (7:30–8:30 a.m.)

• Afternoon (12:30–3:15 p.m.)

• After school (3:15–5:30 p.m.)

Preschoolers benefit from all the special subjects available to our older students, including:

• Spanish (2x/week)

• Physical Education

• Music

• Makerspace