HoneyBunny Preschool offers a flexible mix of structured and unstructured time, supervised free play and kinder-readiness. We run a Montessori-inspired program, which includes a multi-age classroom and a focus on choice and discovery-based learning. Curriculum is encouraged, but flexible depending upon the day and the mood of the children. We want to be flexible enough to take advantage of spontaneous learning opportunities, but provide enough routine for the children to feel secure.
- Our Preschool and TK curriculum at HoneyBunny Preschool of Elk Grove teaches a new letter (with a fun corresponding life science theme) each week. For instance, if we are talking about the letter T, the corresponding weekly theme might be Trees, Transportation, or Trains.
- HoneyBunny Preschool of Elk Grove utilizes hands-on activities, games, arts & crafts, stories and songs to teach life skills and TK/Kindergarten readiness skills. These activities are designed to expose children to skills and ideas so they can explore, rather than master, skills.
School Fundamentals
Children will practice all the necessary fundamentals to give them confidence and a head start for TK and Kindergarten, such as writing their name and knowing their letters, letter sounds, numbers, counting, patterns, shapes and colors.
Social-Emotional Skills
Children will be coached in social-emotional skills such as sharing, turn-taking, lining up, hands to self, assertive conflict resolution, and other empathy + kindness skills.
Life Science
Children will learn about the exciting world around them with weekly themes (animals, sports, weather, countries, cooking, outer space, families and more!). Each year we do a planting project, as well as raise insects such as a butterflies or ladybugs in the Spring.
Free Play –
We exercise our large motor skills with playtime outside and/or free play inside. A child’s work is play. They learn several things through their play, like how to express their feelings, how to help others, how things can be acted upon, etc.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has included play as a criterion in its accreditation process for programs for young children. “They call it their work,” says Peter Pizzolongo, associate director for professional development at NAEYC. “When they’re learning and playing with joy, then it’s a positive experience. They develop a positive approach to learning.”
New research shows that social skills, developed during unstructured activities, can be a better predictor of future academic success than academic success in preschool and kindergarten.
Preschool is largely play-based in countries where high-schoolers outperform the U.S., such as Denmark and South Korea, and countries where there is more recess tend to have better academic performance than those with less.
For more information, articles, and research about the importance of PLAY in early childhood, see the website:
Or ask us about PLAY!!