Prekindergarten Program

As prekindergarten teachers, we pride ourselves on meeting the academic, social-emotional, and diverse learning needs of all of our PK friends by starting with the "Who” not the “What." Through Responsive Classroom, small student-teacher ratios, our classroom environments, play, and child-led learning, each child's unique abilities are met. Although there is variety in the "How,” the “Why” is the same; the child. Our youngest Eagles are at the heart of all we do in PK at McDonogh. 

McDonogh's Lower School, including PK, uses an evidence-based approach to teaching and behavior management called Responsive Classroom. Responsive Classroom, emphasizes the importance of building relationships during “The First Six Weeks." In the first six weeks of school, we spend our time getting to know each and every child, setting up our spaces alongside them, and creating class promises together. We learn about what brings them joy, what challenges them, their likes and dislikes, and so much more. We know that children learn best when they are active participants in their learning. By including them in setting up our environment, creating rules and expectations, and planning our days based on their needs and wants, we help them establish interest, a sense of belonging, confidence, and pride. By prioritizing building these relationships at the beginning of the year, we are able to meet each child where they are in all domains, all year long. 

Mollie Layton - Lead PK Teacher

Through instruction and exploration, our PK curriculum weaves together experiences into a tapestry that supports early literacy skills, mathematical thinking, and content knowledge. Through high-quality read-alouds, hands-on and purposeful games and activities, open-ended conversations, and a print-rich environment in our classrooms, the children are surrounded by language that builds early literacy skills. We want the children to see that math is everywhere, whether we are in the classrooms, outside, or walking around our campus. We are building their mathematical thinking when we are counting how many children are at school, identifying shapes around campus, or comparing and contrasting the weather on our weather graph. 

We use stories and exploration of the world around us to introduce and build skills in all of these areas. For example, we may read many fall stories to identify characteristics of the season, visit Roots Farm to pick pumpkins, learn new vocabulary related to the lifecycles of pumpkins, sort leaves from a leaf hunt, and measure ingredients to bake pumpkin muffins. The children begin to learn that none of these things happen independently from one another; they are all interconnected, which helps the children make sense of the world around them. 

Amy Drummond - Lead PK Teacher

Play is central to how children learn. It is often said that "play is the work of a child." It allows them to have fun learning while tapping into their natural curiosity. Play is essential to children's development in many ways. It can help children with social skills such as negotiating, sharing, working in a group, and solving conflicts. Through play, children can expand their creativity and problem-solving skills. Play encourages students to guide their learning; investing in what they are learning makes it meaningful and sparks joy and empowerment. For example, as children play with water, they may learn concepts such as sinking or floating. Another instance can come from children building with blocks. They may need to work through frustration and persevere while developing critical thinking skills. The pedagogy of play in McDonogh's Prekindergarten program includes several types, such as self-directed play, guided play, and games. Making learning fun and interesting keeps children engaged and invested. 

Jamie Garten - Lead PK Teacher

McDonogh's play-based prekindergarten program significantly contributes to a child's success in lower school and beyond. Through carefully designed play experiences, we foster crucial social-emotional skills, enhancing children's ability to interact positively with peers and teachers. Our warm and inclusive environment nurtures language and communication skills, laying the groundwork for learning across all subjects. The open-ended play opportunities cultivate problem-solving abilities and critical thinking while also teaching self-regulation—skills essential for adapting to more structured learning environments. 

McDonogh's approach nurtures creativity, imagination, and physical development, all of which are valuable in various aspects of education. By associating learning with fun, our program helps children develop a love for education that can drive intrinsic motivation and engagement. McDonogh's play-based learning also hones executive function skills like planning and focusing attention, which are critical for academic achievement. Many of our play activities incorporate early literacy and numeracy concepts, providing a strong foundation for more formal instruction. 

The varied experiences in McDonogh's play-based setting help children develop adaptability and resilience, equipping them to navigate the productive academic and social challenges that lie ahead. Our play-based prekindergarten program is the perfect foundation to instill a love of learning while also preparing children to be LifeReady every step of the way.

Nancy Fleury - Head of Lower School

I hope they remember all the fun we had while learning! Learning can be fun, exciting, and in every part of your life. Learning through play enriches the mind and sparks interest and love for learning in any child.

Shanita Scott - PK Associate Teacher