For the past several weeks, part of the Little School at Kent School has been transformed into a restaurant. Pre-school students are learning through play at The Healthy Heart Café. The children don aprons and chef hats and take charge of the café for about 30 minutes each day. Guests are greeted and shown to their table. Orders are taken and relayed to the chef. The menu selection is limited to healthy choices for (pretend) drinks, main courses, a side dish of fruit or vegetable, and a small dessert.
“This is a great way for children to learn many things at one time,” said Little School Director, Vivienne Falanga. “We are focusing on the importance of making nutritious choices and living a healthy life. They are also learning about working together through their role playing. Each child’s job is important to the café.” Age appropriate math skills along with the importance of following directions and doing things in the proper order, are also emphasized. Falanga added, “We are teaching the children the skills they will need as they progress through their next years of school.”Headmaster Chris Gorycki said, “At Little School our students begin their educational journey. It is a special, busy place.” The program is designed to foster early childhood development. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, pre-reading and math skills and the integration of social studies, science, music, and art. Little School serves three and four year-old children and has a flexible schedule for families who want to have their children attend 3, 4, or 5 days a week. For more information about Little School at Kent School visit www.kentschool.org or call Tammi Stricker in Admissions at 410-778-4100 ext. 11.
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