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CLASSES AND CURRICULUM Grace Neighborhood Nursery School (GNNS) provides a comfortable and positive educational experience for children ages 2 years and 9 months old through 5 years old. The GNNS program builds on a child's natural creativity, sense of wonder, and desire to learn. Experiences are carefully planned so that children:
Above: GNNS students "play to learn and learn to play." A Grace teacher typically designs a unit (such as the five senses, or light and dark) and then creates a classroom environment where children learn about the unit through play. During the daily "meeting" or in free play, children might experience the five senses by hearing the sounds of birds, tasting sugar and salt, or feeling the different textures of an art project. Ongoing activities include painting, block-building, and role-playing, which help children discover new methods of self-expression. Puzzles, peg boards and art projects build small muscle development and eye-hand coordination. Books, music, science experiments and nature materials stimulate imagination and curiosity. A part of the classroom may be transformed into a doctor's office or a shoe store. Gym time is a part of every day. Bikes, scooters, climbing equipment, and balancing boards help develop strength and coordination. Throughout the day, social skills (such as taking turns, picking up toys, or helping serve a snack) are encouraged.
Grace holds classes in the morning and in the afternoon. The morning session meets from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; the afternoon session meets from 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Parents may enroll their children in Lunch Bunch, which extends the GNNS day. Grace's convenient location near the Uptown area allows teachers and their classes to walk to the Walker Library, Triangle Park, and Lake of the Isles. Older children may take field trips, sometimes by city bus, to the Walker Art Center's Sculpture Garden or Orchestra Hall. |
