8:30 – Arrival / Free Play
Children explore the environment through play.
Brain-Based Skills
- Social bonding
- Executive function
- Imagination
- Emotional regulation
Questions to Ask
- “What would you like to build today?”
- “Can you show me how your idea works?”
- “Who would you like to play with?”
Brain Areas Engaged
- Prefrontal cortex (decision making)
- Social brain networks
9:00 – Circle Time
Routine
- Oh Class / Oh Yes
- Feelings check
- Gratitude sharing
- Deep breathing
- Weather song
- Days of the week song
- Short story
- Smell lavender
Brain-Based Skills
- Emotional awareness
- Language development
- Memory formation
- Nervous system regulation
Questions to Ask
- “How does your body feel today?”
- “What helps our bodies feel calm?”
- “What do you notice about the smell of lavender?”
Brain Systems
- Limbic system (emotion)
- Vagus nerve (calming response)
- Language centers
9:20 – Big Activity: Make Lavender Playdough
Children help mix ingredients and knead dough.
Skills Being Developed
- Fine motor strength
- Sensory processing
- Sequencing steps
- Early chemistry concepts
Questions to Ask
- “What do you think will happen when we mix these together?”
- “How does the dough feel in your hands?”
- “Is it soft, sticky, or smooth?”
Brain Systems
- Sensory cortex
- Motor cortex
- Neuroplasticity through tactile learning
10:00 – Community Snack
Children sit together and eat.
Skills
- Social communication
- Independence
- Sharing and patience
Questions to Ask
- “What food gives our bodies energy?”
- “Can you pass the snack to your friend?”
Brain Systems
- Social bonding networks
- Prefrontal cortex
10:20 – Outdoor Exploration: Garden Maintenance
Watering plants and checking the garden.
Skills
- Nature awareness
- Responsibility
- Observation
Questions to Ask
- “What do plants need to grow?”
- “What changes do you notice in the garden today?”
- “Do plants grow fast or slow?”
Brain Systems
- Curiosity and exploration circuits
- Observational learning
10:45 – Craft / Art Studio: Glue Flowers to Plexiglass
Children create nature art using real flowers.
Skills
- Creativity
- Fine motor coordination
- Aesthetic awareness
Questions to Ask
- “What colors do you see in these flowers?”
- “Where should we place the petals?”
- “What pattern can we make?”
Brain Systems
- Visual cortex
- Creative networks
- Fine motor pathways
11:15 – Individual Math & Phonics
Older students — short one-on-one lessons.
Examples
- Counting
- Letter sounds
- Phonemic awareness
Skills
- Working memory
- Symbolic thinking
- Early literacy
Questions to Ask
- “What sound does this letter make?”
- “Can you count these objects?”
Brain Systems
- Language centers
- Prefrontal cortex
- Hippocampus
12:00 – Lunch
Skills
- Independence
- Social conversation
Questions to Ask
- “What was your favorite part of the morning?”
12:30 – Calm Period
Story: Marcel the Shell — Block building
Skills
- Imagination
- Narrative comprehension
- Spatial reasoning
Questions to Ask
- “What do you think Marcel is feeling?”
- “How can we build a home like Marcel’s?”
Brain Systems
- Default mode network (story & imagination)
- Spatial reasoning networks
1:00 – Light Activity / Sensory Play: Make Marcel the Shells
Children create their own shell characters.
Skills
- Storytelling
- Creativity
- Emotional expression
Questions to Ask
- “What is your shell’s name?”
- “Where does your shell live?”
- “How does your shell feel today?”
Brain Systems
- Creativity networks
- Emotional processing
- Language development
2:00–2:30 – Free Play / Pick Up
Children choose activities and interact socially.
Skills
- Autonomy
- Cooperation
- Imaginative play
Questions to Ask
- “What did you build today?”
- “What would you like to try next time?”
