Playgroups
Wheeling Country Day School’s Playgroups program offers a unique and premier experience for children ages 1-3. Our new Little Explorers program for ages 1-2 and We Two program for ages 2-3 are designed to create a positive first impression for our youngest students. We recognize the importance of introducing them to fundamentals that will set them up for success as they progress in their education.
About Playgroups
The Playgroup program at Wheeling Country Day School focuses on the child within the learner. It is an engaging centers-based curriculum that matches the way children develop and learn, meeting their personal learning needs in a hands-on and nurturing environment.
Children need time for fantasy and spontaneous play. Therefore, the playgroups invite pretending and storytelling, which provide the most fertile ground for language growth, both contextual and semantic.
In addition, the campus layout allows children to be active and to follow their natural sense of wonder. They play and learn in nature with found objects that inspire creativity.
Far from curriculum in a box, the program allows the teachers to take their cues from their students, and then actively guide and encourage their curiosity, intellectual strengths, and above-average skills.
All of the playgroup classes meet every week throughout the school year. Little Explorers meets once a week for one hour and fifteen minutes with a parent or caregiver. We Two also meets once a week for one hour and fifteen minutes with a parent or caregiver.
Art in the Little Explorers and We Two playgroups fosters creativity, self-expression, and fine motor skills in young children. Through activities like color mixing, exploring different art techniques, and collaborative projects, children develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally while enjoying the freedom to express their imaginations.
The Little Explorers and We Two playgroups promote gross motor skills development, enabling children to strengthen their muscles, improve coordination, and engage with peers in a dynamic and stimulating environment.
Group play is essential for our toddlers as it helps develop social skills, such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy, while fostering language development through interaction with peers. In the Little Explorers and We Two playgroups, children benefit from group play by building relationships, learning to navigate social dynamics, and enhancing their communication abilities in a supportive and engaging setting.
