Where Learning Takes Flight

Early Childhood at Friendship:

Starting a Pathway to College

Early Childhood

Philosophy At Friendship Public Charter School, we believe that success in college and in life starts with a great foundation.

The early childhood program at Friendship embraces the belief that children are active learners. They build meaning and understanding through full participation in their learning environments. Friendship’s child-centered program combines high expectations for each child with respect for individual development and the understanding that children learn best in a nurturing, caring, joyful and structured environment.

The early childhood program is designed to promote children’s knowledge and skills in all developmental areas – cognitive, social-emotional, physical, language, literacy and math – to establish a foundation for lifelong learning. The program meets or exceeds all state standards for early childhood.

The Friendship Public Charter School early childhood program is designed to embed important educational objectives into daily routines, ensure the learning focus is relevant to the student and provide intentional instruction in a playful, joyful atmosphere.

Early Childhood

A Typical Day Welcome/Arrival

Children are welcomed and offered breakfast, then independently select activities to participate in as others arrive.

Morning Meeting

Clean Up

Children learn when and how to stop an activity, put away materials and cooperate with peers.

“Specials”

Everyone comes together to hear about the day’s activities, greet each other and make choices for centers time.

Just like their older peers, pre-K scholars participate in “special subjects” such as PE, art, Spanish and technology.

Small Group Instruction

Whole Group & Story Time

Children receive differentiated instruction on targeted objectives in a small group setting. Students learn language, literacy and math concepts through a variety of strategies.

Centers (Choice Time)

Children choose and engage in activities for purposeful play with each other and adults, such as dramatic play, blocks, art, sensory table, library and computers.

On the carpet, children participate in whole group lessons and stories.

Reading enhances listening comprehension, stimulates thought, builds vocabulary, promotes questions and conversation, and develops concepts of print.

Meal Time

Proper nutrition is essential for young students.

Early childhood scholars not only eat lunch but also receive a nutritious snack during another part of the day.

Nap Time

Small, growing bodies need adequate rest. All of our early childhood scholars are scheduled for a 75- to 90-minute nap in the afternoon.

Science/Social Studies

Future global citizens must be well-rounded. Our youngest students engage in science and social studies concepts each day.

Dismissal

After a final review of the day, children independently collect their belongings.

Even in the Early Years

Attendance Matters Don’t let your student be the empty space on the carpet – make sure he/she doesn’t miss circle time!

One of the biggest myths affecting the education of young children is the mistaken belief that pre-K and kindergarten are just an add-on – that it doesn’t really matter that much if children skip a bunch of days or arrive consistently late. But poor attendance and tardiness are real issues, even for young children, and can hamper their ability to learn. Chronic absenteeism and lateness are key drivers of the nation’s achievement, high school graduation and college attainment gaps. Regular school attendance is a necessary and essential component of Friendship’s Early Childhood program. The program helps children gain the foundational skills they need to do well in school and in life. It also assists parents in learning how they can support their children’s on going academic success. Working together to ensure children acquire the habit of on-time attendance is a doable and achievable goal that helps ensure all children have a chance to learn and achieve.

We want children to stay all day. The components of Friendship’s full-day early childhood program extend until dismissal. While we understand that things come up, we want children in class all day so they don’t miss one moment of learning, and we ask that parents avoid taking their children out early whenever possible.

Early Childhood

Learning Environment Friendship Public Charter School’s early childhood program provides a learning environment that affords each child opportunities to develop: • Early literacy skills through phonemic awareness, including rhyme, syllables, compound words, comparing sounds and blending sounds • Early mathematical skills including counting, number recognition, patterns, shape identification, measurement, computing and graphing • Interest in scientific concepts such as plants/animals, machines, weather, matter, chemical reactions and technology • The ability to observe, explore, discover, predict and solve problems through concrete learning experiences • An appreciation of different cultures and people • The natural curiosity young children use to make sense of their world • Self-confidence through successful learning experiences • Responsibility for one’s own behavior and completing work • Positive attitudes toward learning • The ability to share and cooperate with others • Health-promoting habits, routines, nutrition and movement • Artistic expression and appreciation through art, music and dramatic play We do this through a play-based model, focused on increasing joy and curiosity in the classroom. We use research-based curricula in our classrooms, differentiate learning to each child’s ability, and use data/assessment to guide our instruction.

The Reggio Emilia-Inspired Center at Friendship Armstrong The Reggio Emilia philosophy is an approach to teaching and learning that values the capabilities of young children and nurtures the power of thinking.

This rigorous method provides a dynamic experience that encourages children to explore, create, collaborate and construct meaning in their world. Learning is supported through the relationships between children, instructors, family, materials and the environment. Children cultivate an endless means of selfexpression, creating a strong framework for future growth and development to prepare them for infinite opportunities.

Within this framework, there is a very strong emphasis on inquiry and investigation. By posing and discussing specific essential questions, children research topics of interest and learn there can be multiple solutions for challenging concepts. This process boosts cognitive processes, promoting a sense of wonder and curiosity, and increases problemsolving skills while simultaneously accessing academic and social standards.

Our approach is very intentional; with the support of provocations and inquiry to facilitate higher-order thinking, we

allow children to exercise their minds and provide regular input toward the development of the school environment and their daily lessons.

The atelier is a space where materials come alive. We know that learning is fostered by relationships, and children are the first to use their imaginations to create metaphors for the world around them.

Through materials, we provide multiple languages of expression often referred to as the “hundred languages of children.” In this way, adults gain further insight into children’s perceptions and understanding of their world.

We hold our work up to the scrutiny of the Common Core state standards, and children demonstrate proficiency through the formal assessments mandated

by Friendship Public Charter School at each grade level. Other best practices include Responsive Classroom, multiple read-alouds throughout the day, frequent field experiences, classroom visits from experts in a particular field, daily small group instruction, increased documentation, and intense collaboration and planning among the instructional staff. Students and families benefit from this unique experience in public early childhood education while continuing to build relationships with the entire Friendship family.

Tips for Parents Try these tips to help your child become a happy and confident student: •

Before school starts, have a discussion about what school will be like, and reassure them that they will be safe, have fun and make friends. Try not to linger in the classroom, even if there are some tears!

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Read to your child every day. Allow him or her to select books of interest. Ask questions about the pictures and story throughout.

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Talk to your child using rich vocabulary. Try not to use “baby talk,” but move toward using grown-up language.

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Find ways to incorporate counting, numbers and problem-solving into their day. The more they work with mathematical thinking, the better!

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Never feel shy about checking in with teachers and school staff – they are here to support you and to love your child!

Meet the Director Ryan Tauriainen serves as the Director of Early Childhood Strategy for Friendship Public Charter School. In this role, he leads the early childhood program focusing on classroom quality, curriculum and professional development. He served as the principal writer and architect behind ECE curriculum and assessments currently being implemented at Friendship Public Charter School. Prior to becoming director, Mr. Tauriainen was a principal specializing in Early Childhood Education. He was twice named “Most Outstanding Principal” by the Association of Chartered Public Schools and was the inaugural winner of The Washington Post’s “Principal of the Year” Award in 2016. Mr. Tauriainen has won two national early childhood awards including the Division for Early Childhood’s Award for Excellence in Professional Practice and the Early Childhood Education Assembly’s Early Literacy Educator of the Year. Mr. Tauriainen has written five early childhood books, which are used in classrooms all over the District of Columbia.

Questions?

Email him at: rtauriainen@friendshipschools.org

More About Friendship Since its founding in 1997, Friendship Public Charter School has prepared thousands of students to become high achievers. One of the District’s largest and highest-performing public charter school networks, Friendship operates 12 schools serving more than 4,200 students in pre-K-12. They include a Reggio Emilia artseducation early learning center, an International Baccalaureate elementary and middle school, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) emersion high school, and Early College preparatory high school. For more on Friendship schools, visit www.friendshipschools.org.

Friendship PCS Community (District) Office Phone: 202.281.1700

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