Rascals Natural Learning

[Flaviana Bresee]

Thechildren explore the different areas we have created and communicate creatively with each other. We see their cooperative play from gardening, music, building, sensory water play as well as hopping on our mushrooms to riding their bikes around the bike path. We have seen fewer behavior problems because we added more creative areas of interest to their playground.

Our parents describe it as a little piece of heaven. The kids regularly want their parents to come to see them play in the yard. The children planted their own veggies, weed and store their items in storage boxes. They are responsible for keeping their spaces well maintained and organized. We are a small school and we take the time to show our children how to care for their items and maintain their garden and eat the foods they grow.

We host family events in the playground. Halloween, Easter hunts, Valentine hunts as well as parent classes like CPR and First Aid. Our staff are amazing teachers that love to inspire learning through play. It is a team effort betwwen all our staff, families and the children to create a wonderful natural space for children to learn and make memories!

My piano teacher never told me HOW to practice piano when I was learning many years ago. I just got on with it and fumbled my way through many challenging hours. It never occurred to me that HOW I was practicing may have been blocking some of my progress and musical skill. But it was! Luckily I had enough natural talent to get me through all my ABRSM grades and into Trinity College of Music in London.

Work out the best fingers for your piece and always stick to them

This creates muscle memory

Practice slowly with many repetitions over a few days or weeks

Only speed up once your fingers have developed 100% muscle memory

Enjoy playing

"Children love to draw and in doing so create for themselves a world of trains, cars, 'pigs and kings and lots of things'! They invest this activity with their whole, undivided attention. Later, they will give the same concentration in learning to read and in practising forming their first letters. The same sense of happiness and enjoyment can be attained while learning the musical ABC, through which children will become acquainted with the rudiments of musical notation. The musical upbringing offered in the Singing Rascals ABC allows children to unravel the "secrets" of note recognition and formation in a way that they can enjoy as a game while they work. In this book, the child will be introduced to the natural, unaltered notes: even these natural notes appear here only in the octave ranges found in children's songs or in compositions written for the young. This particular book, in common with all the others in the Rascals series, is designed for use in the family, in kindergarten or nursery, in music schools and in primary schools."

"The Singing Rascals picture book and exercise book are now combined in the ABC. The child will learn the musical ABC (the unaltered notes), in the same order as s/he is taught the alphabet in school: thus the order will be ABCDEFG. (Instead of the confusing system of 'H' for B natural and 'B' for B flat, we recommend for new generations of music pupils everywhere in the world the more logical use of B (natural), B sharp (Bis) and B flat (Bes). Nevertheless, there are pages in the book designed for those teachers who wish to maintain the old tradition.) There are two kinds of exercise for each note: recognition and drawing. These exercises are written both in the G and F clefs. The little fiddler or flautist should practise the musical ABC primarily in the G clef, and the 'cello and double bass rascals in the F clef. The future pianist is recommended to use both. The notes in brackets (e.g., on Page 6) seldom appear in music composed for children; therefore it is left to the teacher's discretion to exercise its drawing or recognition. The empty pages are designed for the teacher or parent to insert the appropriate clefs and exercises, which can favour either note recognition or note drawing, according to the particular needs of the child . The final pages of empty staves are for further free exercises."

To enroll, start by completing a scholarship application through Step Up for Students. Once the scholarship is secured, fill out our school Enrollment Forms, ensuring you submit the immunization form, physical, and proof of age (birth certificate) for a comprehensive enrollment process. We understand the importance of a smooth transition, and our dedicated staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

We implement the Creative Curriculum, a dynamic approach that encourages learning through purposeful play. This project-based method capitalizes on children's natural curiosities, fostering observation, idea connections, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. By engaging in meaningful activities, our students build a strong foundation for future academic success.

Students will complete the STAR Math & Early Literacy Assessment three times throughout the school year to track progress. Teachers and Parents will work together to ensure that your child is mastering the learning material and meeting academic goals. Conferences will be held twice a year or upon request.

Research indicates that children exposed to reading early on demonstrate enhanced language skills, phonological recognition, and an expanded vocabulary. Parents play a crucial role in this process, as reading aloud establishes a bond while emphasizing the value of literacy.

Special Projects, sent home periodically, provide an opportunity for parents and children to collaborate on meaningful tasks. Completion of these projects and their return to school by the specified date ensures a connection between home and school, enhancing the learning experience for each child.

At Lil' Rascals Academy, we prioritize a positive and supportive classroom environment. To achieve this, we implement a clip chart behavior system that encourages responsible behavior among our students. In this system, parents play a crucial role as active participants, engaging with the daily color chart to reinforce positive choices and engage in constructive discussions about improvement goals. We firmly believe that a collaborative partnership between home and school is essential for cultivating a respectful and nurturing atmosphere.

At Lil' Rascals Academy, we are dedicated to providing a kindergarten program that goes beyond traditional education. Our approach sets the stage for a well-rounded educational experience. Join us in nurturing your child's potential, building a foundation for a lifetime of learning, and creating cherished memories at Lil' Rascals Academy!

With this in mind, Darren How tries not to interfere with the natural learning process by making himself scarce, especially during weekend nights when the game is on. He is not opposed to personal coaching, but his son can only ask him questions related to Liverpool.

Green schoolyards or nature schoolyards, are outdoor educational spaces that are designed to offer learning opportunities while connecting children with nature. These schoolyards go beyond traditional playgrounds by incorporating elements such as gardens, locally sourced trees, and natural play spaces.

We never turn down a chance to challenge traditional thinking. We shake up old definitions of play and learning, while encouraging policy makers and audiences to embrace the awesome power of natural playground training.

A range of toys and activities are available to develop large and fine motor skills, hand and eye co-ordination, social and play, communication and language. Babies are provided with a wide range of activities which are both enjoyable and stimulating such as shaving foam and baby lotion play, water play, pasta, corn flour and water, painting, cardboard box play and treasure baskets to name a few. Babies also take part in music and movement, singing and musical instrument sessions which are held both indoors and outdoors. Babies are also taken on walks and have their own enclosed outdoor play area, they spend lots of time outside and learn so much through exploring their natural environment especially during the warmer months.

Children enjoy snuggling into the cosy quiet corner to listen to stories and playing with small world and construction equipment on the floor area. Children take part in many activities throughout the day such as painting, sand, water, role play, construction, corn flour and water, shaving foam, soil, small world toys, tents and tunnels and much more!. They love music and movement, especially boogie beebies, song time and musical instrument sessions. Stories are told by staff each day with the use of puppets and props to make them more interesting and entertaining, to hold their attention whilst developing their concentration skills

The Jungle Cubs room is designed to accommodate all areas of learning and development. Within the room there are separate play areas such as small world and construction play home corner to encourage imaginative play with a kitchen and appliances, and a quiet area to promote relaxation and reflection and art and craft areas. The areas highly resourced with plenty of toys and equipment.

Children spend a lot of their time outdoors and have access to a large outdoor area, with dens quiet sensory areas, sand and water play, physical area and a playhouse. They are provided outdoors with group games, bats and balls, coup cars, bikes, trikes and scooters along with obstacle courses, balancing beams and outdoor role play.

Children benefit from going on trips into the local community, to the park, the beach and the library or on a coach for trips to the farm. Staff promote good table manners and encourage children to feed themselves.

Children begin toilet training in this room, the room has easy access to the child sized toilets and washroom.

Most children in this room sleep after lunch on beds with their own sheets and blankets. There is provision for those who do not sleep during lunch time to play and take part in activities.

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