Our Twos program focuses on the social development of the child. Learning to separate from parents, be a part of a group, take turns, share with friends, and use the classroom materials appropriately are important skills for two-year-olds to master.

Our teachers facilitate social interactions between the children, and help them learn to join in classroom activities. Daily activities are designed to help children develop appropriate use of language to communicate with teachers and peers, as well as to develop fine and gross motor skills. Children are exposed to colors, shapes, letters and numbers through play, art, stories, and songs. Helping children develop self-confidence and a sense of autonomy through mastery of toilet training and other self-care skills is also an important part of our program.

Our classrooms are large, bright and divided into activity areas so our children can learn and grow. The class size is limited to 12 children with 3 teachers to supervise and help children to explore.

Discovery Time
Discovery time allows children to explore the classroom materials at their own pace, and is important in helping your child make a good transition from home to school. Activities include Play-Doh, drawing, puzzles, manipulative materials, a dramatic play area, a sensory table, cars and trucks, and building blocks.

Circle Time
The class comes together each day to participate in songs, finger plays, letter sounds, special bag and games. Creative movement activities, such as dance, marching band, and parachute play, promote coordination and listening skills are also part of our day.

Stories
Sharing stories through books or flannel board is a favorite activity for twos. We know that in addition to being fun, these stories are a great way to teach important skills. Children increase their understanding of language through stories, as well as their ability to comprehend. Important concepts such as patterns, rhymes,and sequencing can be introduced through stories too.

Art
Art provides sensory exploration as children experience the feel, sight and scent of paint, finger paint, glue, modeling dough etc. Your child will enjoy the process of creation using a variety of materials. Projects may be open-ended, or may relate to our themes. Children enjoy these creative activities, which often involve paint, glue, etc.

Cooking
Children learn the basic skills of cooking, including measuring, stirring, pouring and kneading dough. Our cooking classes help our students learn fine motor skills, reinforce basic math and science concepts and give our students an appreciation of different types of food.

Drama
Through roll playing and carefully-selected exercises, children develop the confidence to speak in front of a group, show emotion and explore expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

Science
Our hands-on science classes help children better understand their world. Experiments and demonstrations help curious minds discover why objects float or sink, how colors are made, and so much more!

Library
Visits to our library include story time, learning how our library is organized and selecting a book to borrow for reading at home.

Recess
Children enjoy outdoor time on our playground each day, weather permitting, building and developing large gross motor skills and coordination. On inclement weather days, we may use parachute play and other games to entertain our children while indoors.

With its warm, inviting, social classroom environment, our Threes program uses stories, music, cooking, gardening and art, as well as gym and French to provide a rich preschool experience for your little one. Our 6:1 student to teacher ratio allows each student the benefit of individualized attention.

Character Development
Emphasis on respect, cooperation, sharing, patience, and being a good friend. Children work on being able to demonstrate the ability to function as an individual and as a member of a group.

Monthly Themes
Themes may include "self and family," colors and shapes, farm life, holidays, transportation and community helpers, zoo, ocean, nature and planting, and summer fun.

Literacy
Special letter and sound of the week, vowel friends, phonemic awareness, phonics games and activities and theme related stories.

Math
Introducing math manipulatives using games and activities, one to one correspondence, concepts (up/down, in/out), number recognition from 1 - 10, counting, and shapes.

Handwriting
A developmentally appropriate program that encompasses tactile wooden pieces, chalkboard and dough, as well as tracing activities to support fine motor skills.

Art
Includes projects that are self-expressive and process oriented, including easel painting and collages, as well as teacher directed projects utilizing many mediums and resources.

Cooking
Children learn the basic skills of cooking, including measuring, stirring, pouring and kneading dough. Our cooking classes help our students learn fine motor skills, reinforce basic math and science concepts and give our students an appreciation of different types of food.

Drama
Through roll playing and carefully-selected exercises, children develop the confidence to speak in front of a group, show emotion and explore expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

Science
Our hands-on science classes help children better understand their world. Experiments and demonstrations help curious minds discover why objects float or sink, how colors are made, and so much more!

Library
Visits to our library include story time, learning how our library is organized and selecting a book to borrow for reading at home.

World Language
Counting, learning colors, names of family members, food, weather terms and other vocabulary through songs and games.

Music
Incorporates the use of both new and familiar songs with movement, finger play and instruments as children develop their sense of rhythm.

Physical Education
Develops large motor skills and coordination through various locomotor exercises (walking, running, hopping), and activities that focus on eye-hand and eye-foot coordination using parachutes, hula-hoops, bean bags, etc.

Technology
Utilization of interactive whiteboards in our classrooms to explore various subject areas and skill sets.

In our Fours, learning is a playful, social experience with teachers using games and manipulatives to introduce math, phonics and writing skills. Art, music, technology, gym, French, cooking, gardening and field trips further enrich this program, and our 7:1 student to teacher ratio allows for individualized attention and differentiated learning.

Character Development
Emphasis on respect, cooperation, sharing, patience, and being a good friend. Accepts responsibility for one's actions. Demonstrates the ability to function as an individual and as a member of a group.

Monthly Themes
Themes may include: bears and hibernation, nutrition, holidays around the world, solar system, dinosaurs, five senses, rain forest, bugs and insects and summer safety.

Literacy
Includes special letter and sound of the week, recognizing upper and lower case letters and "vowel friends. Progression can include consonant-vowel blends, three letter words, short vowel books, long vowel books and digraphs, reinforced through phonics games and activities and stories.

Math
Skills are developed using math manipulatives, one to one correspondence, counting, graphing, patterning, and sorting. Recognizes and solves problems through active exploration.

Science
Opportunities to wonder, ask questions, and seek answers about the natural world through observations, experimentation, use of equipment, recording and collecting data.

Cooking
Children learn the basic skills of cooking, including measuring, stirring, pouring and kneading dough. Our cooking classes help our students learn fine motor skills, reinforce basic math and science concepts and give our students an appreciation of different types of food.

Drama
Through roll playing and carefully-selected exercises, children develop the confidence to speak in front of a group, show emotion and explore expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

Library
Visits to our library include story time, learning how our library is organized and selecting a book to borrow for reading at home.

Technology
Introduction of computer parts, using a mouse and keyboard for various games, graphics, and specific activities. Utilization of interactive whiteboards in our classrooms to explore various subject areas and skill sets.

Handwriting
A developmentally appropriate program that encompasses tactile wooden pieces, chalkboards and dough, as well as tracing activities to support fine motor skills. Journals are used by our fours, fives and kindergarteners to help foster an interest in writing and inventive spelling.

Art
Includes projects that are self-expressive and process oriented, including easel painting and collages, as well as teacher directed projects utilizing many mediums and resources.

Music
Incorporates the use of both new and familiar songs, tunes, echo songs, the use of rhythm instruments (drums, bells, triangles, wooden blocks, etc.) and movement.

Physical Education
Develops large motor skills and coordination through locomotor exercises (walking, running, hopping) and activities that focus on eye-hand and eye-foot coordination using parachutes, hula-hoops, bean bags, etc.

World Language
Counting, learning colors, names of family members and foods, weather terms, and other vocabulary through songs and games.

Our comprehensive K-Grade 8 curriculum is balanced to help students discover their strengths and make the most of their talents, within the school community and beyond. Our teachers inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively. At Ridgefield Academy, students are empowered to take on new challenges and become lifelong learners.

Small class sizes and a dynamic, integrated curriculum help our students truly master course material. Students are empowered to test and stretch their imaginations, ask questions and challenge themselves both inside the classroom and outside on the athletic field.

To learn more about Ridgefield Academy and the K- grade 8 experience, we encourage you to visit our Ridgefield Academy website at www.ridgefieldacademy.org.