The Importance of Critical Thinking While on the playground on a recent picture-perfect spring afternoon, I observed a group of four and five-year-olds gathered around one of the tall trees. Apparently a stuffed animal cat had been thrown in the air and was stuck on a limb of the tree. The children...
Last week our Moonbeam, Rainbow and Sunshine classrooms gathered outside on our PIC corner for a visit from our local firefighters. While waiting for the fire truck to arrive, shrills of excitement were heard from the children. Then, at the first glimpse of the very large red truck getting close to...
Child assessments are an integral part of your child’s education here at the PIC. And they are a helpful tool in showing social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth. In the early learning program, staff complete three assessments per year using Teaching Strategies Gold, the assessment tool...
Babies, Babies Everywhere! by Kristen Carter We are delighted that a number of our Moonbeams are going to be big brothers and sisters soon! News of a pending new arrival is exciting, scary and emotional for a toddler. When telling the news to your two or three year old that he or she is going to...
Quality Out-of-School-Time for ALL On a lovely sunny day early this month, I was fortunate to accompany the after school children on a day trip to Wissahickon Park’s nature center, near Chestnut Hill College. We enjoyed hands-on educational programming in the woods: one program was geared to the...
Roadrunners Gain Independence by Christel Ürményházi In the area of self-care, Roadrunner teachers foster children's growing independence by meeting them at their current stage of development and then offering them opportunities to challenge themselves as they gain mastery and confidence. An example...
What is it about Sensory Play? by Laura Graham One of the most engaging activities for the Caterpillar children is playing with sensory materials. Whether it is water, sand, soil, or play dough, we see the materials inspire joyful and focused exploration that the children return to again and again...
Talking and Listening by Carolanne Mitchell If there is one thing I have learned about nine and ten- year-olds in my years of working with this age group it is that they love to talk! Mostly, children this age will talk to each other, but some will talk just to talk. Children of this age have a lot...
As the Peanuts had been studying Art and Artists even before this amazing art installation, we felt lucky to be able to visit the chapel and check out what an artist had created in a space so near and dear to us at PIC! The Peanuts had already begun lots of open ended play with cutting, wrapping...
PIC is delighted to host our first author reading! PIC mom Asali Solomon will read from her new book Disgruntled on Wednesday, April 15, 5:30-7 pm in the small gym. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited. RSVP to Deb Green if you plan to attend and if you need childcare.
