Knowing that Kindergarten is one of the most formative years in a child’s educational career, more and more parents are seeking the best alternative for their children. Scientists are telling us what we parents have known intuitively for years: Children learn best when they are “doing”. Meaningful experiences record knowledge in long term memory. A wide variety of knowledge connects dendrites in the brain and new information can only attach itself to something familiar that has already been experienced.

BRiDGES follows all of the state guidelines for Kindergarten and then some. We do it in a way that is conducive to the way children learn best. Here, they will use their minds, voice, and senses to learn. A structured, hands on approach to reading, mathematics, science, writing, art, health, music, foreign language, socialization, and responsibility is respectfully taught in a developmentally appropriate classroom by Early Childhood experts.

• Reading is individualized based on each child’s level of development. Quality Children’s literature is a rich part of Kindergarten Curriculum. The children have both reading time and story time every day.
  
  
• Writing Journals, (plus Science Journals) offers a treasury of the children’s drawing and writing development. The work in their journals is date stamped to show their progress over time. Children who continue into Kindergarten from Bridges Preschool continue the journals that they have already started.
  
  
• Mathematics is taught through hands on, concrete activities, a wide variety of manipulatives, and music, as well as using paper and pencil.
  
  
• A quality music education programs comes into directly into the classroom each week to enrich the children with the art of music. Dramatic Play is still encouraged through a variety of rotating Dramatic Play centers including a Doctor’s office, Fire Department, Grocery Store, Bakery/Café, Etc.
  
  
• Children are introduced to the world of fine arts by discussing the work of some of the greatest artists in history, including Monet, Van Gough, and Michael Angelo. They also get to also try their hand at creating great masterpieces of their own. A variety of mediums are explored including pastels, paint, clay, etc.
  
  
• Science Exploration is a regular part of Kindergarten Curriculum. A full classroom science center is utilized as well as regularly scheduled science experiments, cooking projects, and gardening activities.
  
  
• The children learn how to use real tools and materials in the classroom Construction Zone. Here they explore the inner workings of small appliances by taking things apart. They have a variety of materials for constructing and putting things together.
  
  
• Primary Spanish and Sign Language is continually taught throughout the school year.
  
  
• Physical Education is part of the weekly curriculum, taking place each week within the classroom or on our Adventure Playground.
  

BRiDGES Kindergartener's do a special project each year to leave their legacy for the children to come. Some of these projects to date have included:

• Constructing a “hand printed” cobblestone island in the center of the playground creek.
  
  
• Completely planning and constructing a “Desert Botanical Kinder-garden” while studying the Sonora Desert from A-Z.
  
  
• Designing and creating mosaic cobblestone art to line the ground around the fountain in the school Share Garden.
  
  
• Planting a small “Reading Orchard,” complete with grass, and grape vines.
  
  
• Hand painting and constructing terracotta planters, plus a homemade bird bath and feeder for the school Bird and Butterfly Habitat.