Mainspring Classrooms

Sunflowers Room

 

 

Infants age 6 weeks until walking

(usually one year old)

Eight babies with two teachers. Lots of loving interactions between caretakers and infants. Lesson plans include continual individual assessments of what the infant needs to learn next. Opportunities for one-on-one verbal interaction. Encouragement to try new things, grasping. Tasting new foods. Key focus is to build trust between infant and caregiver.

Dew Drops Room

 

 

Age 12 – 18 months

Nine toddlers with two teachers. Primary tasks are to learn to eat at a table (rather than a high chair), use spoons, follow schedules like napping once a day with the group rather than as needed like in the Sunflowers Room, and learn to enjoy outside activities. We need to expose the children to lots of spoken language. Safety, relationship, and trust are key.

Grasshoppers Room

 

 

 

Age 2

Fourteen “Terrific Twos” with two teachers. Strongly emerging language. Group activities possible. Art and sensory activities are very important (working with sand, water, play dough). Children start problem solving how things fit together, pouring from one container into another, experimenting with concepts such as more/less, bigger/smaller, etc. Building blocks and puzzles develop math skills. Observations and sorting lay the foundations for science. True “investigative play” happens here. A great place for volunteers who can work with children to expand their understanding and use of the language.

Age 3, 4, and 5

Seventeen pre-schoolers with two teachers and an aide. Lots of pre-literacy activities, a print-rich environment. Great imaginative play and dress-up. Uses a variety of art materials. Science expands into data collection. Beginning to understand cause and effect. Citizenship and safety are stressed. Children play together and form friendships. Our role is to structure the environment so that the children learn through play in every possible interaction and activity. DLM curriculum.

A Mainspring Tour

To contact us:

 

 

512/442-2301 Phone

512/912-1731 Fax

Rudi@MainspringSchools.org

 

1100 West Live Oak

Austin, TX 78704

Playgrounds

 

Lots of outdoor activities on three expertly designed playgrounds enhance your child’s experience at Mainspring Schools.

Age 18-24 months

Eleven  toddlers with two teachers. Begin playing in groups, imaginative play, interest in books. Understands language, but own vocalizations are few and often difficult to discern. Introduced to crayons and art activities, rhymes, taking turns. This is really an important time to try to draw out language from the children.

Shining Stars Room

Song Birds Room