EC to Grade 8: Early Childhood

EARLY CHILDHOOD | Ages Three to Six

LEARNING FOR LIVES OF PURPOSE

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The Early Childhood program at DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY provides an exploratory and playcentered education in a collaborative, Christ-centered

environment. At Dock, there is a steadfast commitment to developing the whole child—spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical—by integrating faith into every aspect of learning.

Young children have an innate excitement for discovery and learning that they bring into the classroom everyday. Early childhood teachers at Dock seek to build upon that curiosity, recognizing that young students learn best through play.

Teachers rotate educational tools, introduce more complex play opportunities, and give students choices in their activities to inspire passions and foster independence.

Dock Mennonite Academy provides a place for children to receive a quality education while being loved unconditionally.

Students receive support every step of the way through a cohesive community of teachers, family, and church, ensuring a positive experience as they start their first years of school.

EARLY CHILDHOOD AT A GLANCE

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

Cultivate a love of learning Foster a love of God and others Encourage independence Teach children communication skills Strengthen self-esteem Build friendships Develop the foundation for future academic success DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS

Cognitive and Language Fine and Gross Motor Skills Social Spiritual Creativity

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The Early Childhood program at DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY provides an exploratory and playcentered education in a collaborative, Christ-centered

environment. At Dock, there is a steadfast commitment to developing the whole child—spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical—by integrating faith into every aspect of learning.

Young children have an innate excitement for discovery and learning that they bring into the classroom everyday. Early childhood teachers at Dock seek to build upon that curiosity, recognizing that young students learn best through play.

Teachers rotate educational tools, introduce more complex play opportunities, and give students choices in their activities to inspire passions and foster independence.

Dock Mennonite Academy provides a place for children to receive a quality education while being loved unconditionally.

Students receive support every step of the way through a cohesive community of teachers, family, and church, ensuring a positive experience as they start their first years of school.

FACILITATING UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Learning through Exploration Dock Mennonite Academy encourages children to ask questions. Teachers provide students with class time and materials for open-ended discovery and exploration. For example— Students: • Choose objects for a sink-and-float activity to discover what affects the outcome.

• Mix finger paints to learn about color.

• Walk on the campus nature trail, hypothesize about animal homes, and come back to the classroom to do research.

Engaging in Purposeful Play Teachers encourage purposeful play as children learn to problem-solve, work cooperatively, persevere, and much more. For example— Teachers: • Ask questions to prompt further construction of a tower, “How could you do that differently to keep that piece from falling down?”

• Provide items such as water, beans, dirt, buttons, and feathers in a sensory table with tools for imaginative play.

• Provide child-safe tweezers or tongs for children to pick up macaroni or pom-poms and place in empty egg cartons for counting games and to improve their fine motor skills.

“ Dock Mennonite Academy’s Early Childhood Program offers a well-balanced mixture of a warm, nurturing environment coupled with the structure and organization needed to help children learn and grow. Our daughters, who have two very different personalities and gifts, have both benefited greatly from their experience at Dock.”

DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY PARENT

GOING BEYOND TO BUILD A COMMUNITY

Forming Lasting Relationships • Individual parent-teacher conferences • School nurse • Guidance counselors • Weekly newsletters to parents • Interactions with high school volunteers and middle school buddies • Friendships on Early Childhood playground

To learn more about a Dock Mennonite Academy education or to join us on a tour of campus, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@dock.org or 215.362.2675 ext. 106.

EARLY CHILDHOOD TO GRADE EIGHT

420 Godshall Road Souderton, PA 18964 GRADES NINE TO TWELVE

1000 Forty Foot Road Lansdale, PA 19446 WWW.DOCK.ORG