About work of Lev Vygotsky

    What are main characteristics of our program?

      The concept of "Tools of the Mind" comes from the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. He believed that just as physical tools extend our physical abilities, mental tools extend our mental abilities to enable us to solve problems and create solutions in the modern world.





      According to Vygotsky, until children learn to use mental tools, their learning is largely controlled by the environment: they attend only to the things that are the brightest or loudest and they can remember something only if it has been repeated many times. After children master mental tools, they can become in charge of their own learning by attending and remembering in an intentional and purposeful way. Similar to how using mental tools transforms children's cognitive behaviors, they can also transform their physical, social and emotional behaviors. The most effective method to aquire mental tools for young children is through play.

      A child's capacity for fantasy and imagination are intentionally encouraged and protected at our preschool. This capacity is recognized, again, in the toys and play equipment, where their simple forms and lack of definition allow the children's imagination to determine the use and fill in the details. Examples are the simple doll, the large play frames, the wooden crate or the colorful cloth which can be transformed into an endless variety of structures.

    Indoor Activities

      Our program is very nurturing and rhythmical in nature. Activities are planned at the same time each day, rotating through the week. This rhythmical element ensures a strong sense of consistency, order, and security is essential to the healthy development of the young child. Everything that is done in the classroom has a purpose, instilling a sense of joy and care for every task. The atmosphere is homelike and the focus is on play. The preschool room is structured to offer a variety of play activities, both individual and group.

    Outdoor Activities

      Outdoor playtime is scheduled every day and is alternated with the indoor activities in a very predictable weekly schedule. Children play outside even in rainy weather.

      During the morning and afternoon outdoor play time children have ample opportunity to move their bodies - they run, jump, dig sand with shovels in the sandbox, sweep the floor and play with water and buckets.

      In play, children create the world anew each day, and try on every imaginable situation within it. They build houses and ships, rockets and fire engines. They explore life in homes and farms, forests and mountains, underwater and in outer space. All of this is initiated by the children, with occasional help from the teacher. They create their play worlds using the simplest of materials, such as logs and stumps, stones and shells, cloths and play stands. In the course of play their growth in all areas is stimulated physically, emotionally and socially, mentally and spiritually.

      General cultivation of a sense of wonder, engender in the child an unconscious appreciation for the sciences which the child will discover later.

      Seasonal garden provides opportunity for sensory exploration and introduction to the idea of sustainability without being overly intellectual about it. There are two community gardens within walking distance to Magic Cottage that we visit regularly.
      Children with their teachers also grow herbs and vegetables in our own organic garden.

      Everything presented must be true in its essence.