Early Childhood

Our kindergarten classes are designed for children to learn and grow together over one or two years (or three in the case of children joining our Early TK program). The mixed age, play based, transitional kindergarten model lies at the foundation of our curriculum. During the second or final year of kindergarten, there is an emphasis on cultivating readiness for first grade through developmental movement, pre-academic skill building, and the fostering of social and emotional capacities. Our developmentally based curriculum is holistic. It engages “head, heart, and hands” and there is freedom for teachers to craft the curriculum to meet each child individually within the unity of the group. 

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Wild River's Early Childhood program is offered for children ages 4-6 and provides children and families a warm and nurturing experience. Our 40-acre forest campus in Truckee allows classes to spend much of their day outdoors, learning from their natural surroundings and cycles of the seasons. Free-play alternates with group activities, such as circle time for songs, finger plays and games, movement, painting, beeswax modeling, crafts, cooking, storytelling, and puppetry. Children experience all the activities with a sense of joy, yet each develop capacities, including fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and language. The routine and carefully crafted environment of the program allow children to develop physical and social skills through imitation, play and guided discovery. Daily outdoor play encourages children to engage in more active movement involving the whole body. The seasons of the year are observed and celebrated with festivals that enrich the young child’s rhythm.