A preschool that has everyone talking (in a positive manner) is hidden among the coffee shops and ancient sycamore trees. Little Acorns Preschool goes above and beyond what you’d find at the average preschool, doing things like storytime circles and counting to 10. Imagine a little circus flare, some garden-fresh vegetables, and some small art exhibits. The morning activity in the parking lot is a sure sign that parents are interested – finding our additional info for latest update!
First things first: vegetables. Just picture a group of happy kids playing in the dirt, planting beans and chasing ladybugs. Any child under the age of five can pretend to be a botanist in this particular garden. For salsa day, the kids cut cilantro and argue about who has the tallest carrot. This snack time isn’t like any other. It’s the whole “farm to tiny fork” thing, grime and all. The expression of pride on a four-year-old’s face when proudly clutching a beet is priceless.
Having filthy hands is just the beginning of the fun. You never know when a pop-up “Art Gallery” might be set up inside on an arbitrary Thursday. The spotlight is on miniature paintings, clay creatures, and rainbows with unusual shapes. “Imagine Picasso while he was still doing pull-ups,” is a phrase you might hear a teacher use occasionally. It may be a little chaotic and unruly, but it’s art nonetheless. Here, the walls are like storyboards.
Surprise! It’s circus day now. Silks and hoops are brought in by a visiting performer every month. Each child takes it in turns appearing both frightened and thrilled as they sway three feet over the ground. Hanging upside down taught his daughter more self-assurance than any pep talk ever could, according to one dad.
Another twist has emerged. Here, teachers stand back and watch while students work things out; they only step in when macaroni gets in students’ hair. Arguments such, “You can’t build a rocket with cheese sticks!” are common for parents to overhear. The fights, however, are often a thing of the past by the time the snack is cleared away. Real-life squishy things, not a worksheet, is at the heart of the problem-solving process here.
Shiny devices and interminable homework aren’t the school’s goal. Giving kids the reins, allowing them make mistakes, and then laughing about them is the key. Here, oddball ideas get a pass and curiosity reigns supreme. I wonder whether that’s the reason the sycamores outside look a bit higher now.