The First Program The Dalton Plan in practice, Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
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oused in four adjacent townhouses on East 91st Street, the First Program provides a homelike, protective, and nurturing environment for children. A dedicated and highly trained faculty create an atmosphere of warm support and careful supervision which are basic ingredients in enhancing each child’s social skills, attitudes towards learning, feelings of self-worth, and development of interests.
Wall tiles, created by third graders before they move to “Big Dalton,” are a tradition at the First Program. 16
As in all divisions of the school, professionals at the First Program strive to establish a culturally diverse, gender-sensitive environment that supports a healthy balance among all children’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. At every
age level within the First Program, an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning is coupled with special consideration for each child’s interests and the development of community responsibility. Authentic feedback given to children based on their own efforts, ideas, and accomplishments, as well as respectful acceptance of a child’s feelings, help First Program youngsters to meet challenges with the persistence and optimism necessary to develop competence, confidence, and self-esteem. The First Program has House as the basic organizational feature serving as the student’s home base and the place for most academic work. Following the guidelines articulated in Dalton’s K–3 Curriculum Guide, the House Advisor and Associate
