With student-teacher ratios lower than the majority of preschool centers, we are able to dedicate more time one-on-one with children and to help guide them through social interactions with their peers.
Additionally, we have both child-directed and structured programs focused specifically on social development: Special Learning Days, Art Explorer Gallery, Monthly Learning Themes, Circle Time and free play.
Special Learning Days
The Special Learning Days calendar lists the national, ethnic, and cultural celebrations that we observe outside of the normal curriculum that help create awareness of the diversity of our communities. Lessons are developmentally-appropriate, interactive, and fun.
If there is a cultural, ethnic, or national celebration you would like to co-create with us, listed or not listed below, we would be ecstatic and honored if you would share it with us and the children.
| Observed Dates 2021 | Holiday or Celebration | Activities or holiday closure |
| Fri., Jan. 1st | New Year’s Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Mon., Jan. 18th | MLK, Jr. Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Thu., Feb. 11th | Chinese New Year | Story, art projects, celebration food |
| Fri., Feb. 12th | Valentine’s Day | Valentines cards, Art Project, Cupcakes |
| Mon., Feb. 15th | President’s Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Tue., Mar. 2nd | Dr. Seuss Day / Read Across America Day | Stories and activities |
| Wed., Mar. 17th | St. Patrick’s Day | Story, activity / art project, celebration food |
| Mon., Mar. 29th | Holi | Indian Festival —story, food, and activities |
| Fri., Apr. 2nd | Easter | Egg decoration and hunt, Tea Party |
| Mon., Apr. 12th | Ramadan | Story, activity / art project, celebration food and Charity Drive |
| Thu., Apr. 22nd | Earth Day | Terrarium art project, stories, gardening |
| Fri., May 7th | Mother’s Day | Surprise for mom / mother figure |
| Mon., May 31st | Memorial Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Fri., Jun. 18th | Father’s Day | Surprise for dad / father figure |
| Fri., Jul 2nd | Independence Day |
Activity / art project, celebration food |
| Mon., Jul. 5th | Independence Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Mon., Sep. 6th | Labor Day | Avalon is closed for the holiday |
| Fri., Oct. 29th | Halloween | Costume party and pumpkin decorating |
| Tue., Nov. 2nd | Dia de los Muertos | Story/movie, activity / art project, celebration food |
| Wed., Nov 24th | Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Potluck and Food Drive |
| Mon., Nov. 29th | Hanukkah | Story, activity / art project, celebration food |
| Thu., Dec 23rd | Christmas | Christmas Party, Gift exchange, and Toy Drive |
Monthly Learning Themes
Social and cultural awareness are large, abstract concepts for little ones; however, these are important skills for your child to learn before they start kindergarten because once they are in elementary school, children will be interacting with hundreds of other children and adults from a variety of backgrounds.
To make it easier for children to develop in these areas, monthly learning themes provide a consistent framework for social experiences.
March and September are dedicated to social and cultural lessons that we emphasize personal connections to. The first week of March, Class Heritage, is based on student interest and learner-directed lessons (Reggio Emilia and Montessori pedagogies). For example, a child with Italian heritage might want to learn how to make homemade pasta or how to sculpt with clay. Perhaps they are only curious about where the country is on our globe, so a teacher would take that opportunity to ask the child questions to draw out the child’s curiosity further.
