Tools of the Mind is a state approved preschool curriculum that focuses on learning through play, with an emphasis on self-regulation built into all activities throughout the school day.  Children learn to plan their play, intentionally focus and sustain their attention, learn and use strategies for remembering and learning, and reflect on their work.  Teachers engage children in fun activities like movement songs and fingerplays, use a special song to cue clean up time and support the development of intentional mature make-believe play to support your child’s development of self-regulation and executive functions.

 

   Play areas within the classroom include Dramatic Play, Literacy, Science, Table Toys, Blocks, and Art. Each play area contains base layer toys and materials that can be used throughout the year. Each theme lends these play areas to another layer of materials and enables that area to be transformed into a new play area. For example, in the Family Theme, the Science area is turned into a bathroom, where students may create a bathtub or shower, bathe their baby dolls, and brush their teeth. The use of student created props adds a personal touch to the areas and gives the students ownership of their classroom.

 

   In addition to Make Believe Play, students experience a series of small and large group activities where they learn preschool age appropriate math, science, and literacy skills. Opening Group activities include calendar, weather, and community building activities. Students are given opportunities throughout the day to make choices about which materials to use and activities to play promting their independence, as well as chances to interact with their peers.