Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool

The Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool curriculum is a play based curriculum.  Children learn best when they are actively involved with hands-on materials.  The classrooms have learning centers that include art, music & movement, science, math & manipulatives, dramatic play, blocks and building toys, books, and writing.  The teachers engage the children with activities which will help the children learn social skills, literacy concepts, motor skills and creativity along with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts.  The graphic on the left depicts the interconnectedness of all of the aspects of the curriculum at Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool.

Children have a strong disposition to explore and discover. The Project Approach builds on natural curiosity, enabling children to interact, question, connect, problem-solve, communicate, reflect, and more.  Projects are determined by the children’s interest and the teachers guide the children through in-depth studies of real-world topics.   The project work takes place alongside the other activities of the classroom with some projects lasting only a couple of days and other projects lasting for weeks or even months. 

STEM is an acronym for the integration of the four academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Emphasizing STEM in education encourages children to think logically, problem solve and apply science, math and technology skills to equip students with the skills they need to compete in the 21st Century.  STEM concepts will be taught throughout the day integrated with the other activities going on in the classroom.

Reading and writing are essential skills for any child throughout their years in school.  At RAMPP, children will be surrounded with writing and reading activities which will engage them and allow them to learn literacy skills at their own pace.  Our environment offers experiences that inspire children to read and write. Literacy includes vocabulary and language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters, words, comprehension, and books. Literacy is incorporated in all areas of the RAMPP curriculum in a way that will show children that reading and writing are fun.

All of the above activities and categories of learning are the types of activities children need in order to prepare for kindergarten.  At RAMPP, teachers refer to the Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Comprehensive Standards for Four-Year-Olds when planning activities and learning materials for the children. During the year prior to kindergarten entrance, we will provide a number of activities for the children and the parents to help them prepare for kindergarten, both academically and in the socio-emotional sense. Some of these activities will be parent meetings which will give you more information about what you can do to help your child prepare for kindergarten.

For more information about the curriculum at RAMPP, please read

“Robots and Mud Pies π Preschool Curriculum Overview.”