Welcome/ Arrival
When Mayo Nursery School children arrive, they either play with their friends on the playground or enjoy a few minutes of puzzles and games in the circle time room in inclement eather. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting and many parents spend a few minutes to chat or talk to the teacher and one another.
Circle Time
The rug in our circle time room is a host to many colorful animals that the children sit on and spend time talking with the teacher. Students recite the Pledge of Allegiance, update the calendar, discuss weather, and get assigned jobs. The 3 year olds are introduced to letters, shapes and colors. The 4 year olds discuss letter sounds, patterns and new words as well as read their decodable books.
Centers
After circle time the children are given clothespins with their names on them. The clothespins mark their places in the centers. There are six centers in the classroom: writing, library, housekeeping, blocks, manipulatives, and art. Co-oping parents assist the teacher in supervised activities like are or sequencing or writing projects while keeping an eye on all areas of the classroom.
Music and Movement
Music and dance come naturally to children. Dancing and singing develp a childs self-esteem as well as encourage self-expression and creativity. Dancing, jumping, wiggling also releases energy. Everyone is encouraged, but not forced to participate. Some children are shy or cautious and their feelings are taken into account.
Snack
Co-oping parents serve the children a healthy snack and drink. A special snack may be brought in for a child's birthday to share with their friends.
Story Time
While the co-oping parents clean up from snack, the children go to the circle time room to sit and listen to a story. Children are asked to sit quietly and are encouraged to answer questions about the story throughout the book. The questions help the children to develop their reading comprehension skills as well as their listening skills.
Playground
After story time is over, the children are allowed to run and play in the playground. Energy is spent and friendships are developed. Parents coming to pick up their children enjoy chatting for a while especially during the nice warm days in spring and letting the kids play with their friends for a while longer. During inclement weather, the children play games in the circle time room or do team building games in the church hall.