Academics
Early Childhood
Early Childhood: Beginners (ages 3-5) and Kindergarten
An Inquiry-Based Program
Inquiry is at the heart of our teaching and learning in Early Childhood. We encourage children to wonder and explore, to step into the unknown, to take risks and to be unconstrained by right answers. Teachers pose questions to help children connect to previous learning, to engage conversations and to deepen and extend understanding. Our curriculum is deliberately designed to develop our students’ intellectual capacity and nurture their insatiable curiosity. We stretch our students and offer them opportunities to innovate, create and play together within a community of learners.
Learn more about our Beginners (ages 3-5) and Kindergarten programs and schedules.
We hope that you join us for one, or several, of our upcoming admission events.
Nothing tells the story of New Canaan Country School like visiting our campus and meeting our people. We invite you to join us soon for a tour or upcoming event!
Our Bold Approach
In Early Childhood we are passionate about children believing in themselves and their great potential. We encourage children to work independently as well as collaboratively and to understand that they are the primary directors of their own learning. We devote time every day to creating a classroom community where children feel welcome, valued, known, seen and heard. We guide children to further their respect for the rights of others; and most importantly instill a lifelong passion for learning.
Teachers are the Guides
Our teachers are passionate about what they do and believe fully in the mission. We are a place where imagination and curiosity is valued and childhood respected. Enter our space and listen to the language our teachers use with the children. You will hear the language of encouragement, support, stretch and challenge. They use phrases that develop a child’s intrinsic motivation- words that support a child’s developing sense of self. “Give it a go. You did it! Wow, you must be so proud.” We believe vehemently in the word, "yet." We know that children need to believe that we see their great potential. We strive to create space for children to see and celebrate what they can do and to help children see and work towards the development of new skills and accomplishments.
A Welcoming Environment
Teachers intentionally prepare a space that will excite, invite and encourage children to explore. The classrooms provide opportunities for cooperative experiences in large and small groups as well as independent discovery and investigation. The environment is always suggestive and never prescriptive. The children are encouraged to take risks in a safe environment where relationships are built on trust. Learn about our Exploratory Lab and 85-acre campus.
A Balanced Curriculum
Our Early Childhood curriculum is deliberately designed to develop our students’ intellectual capacity and nurture their insatiable curiosity. We offer them opportunities to innovate, create and play together within a community of learners. The teachers design a balanced day; one that includes direct literacy, math, science, and writing lessons as well as open explorations. We pose questions like “What do you notice?”, “What should we do next?”, “I wonder what would happen if?”, and “What is your idea?” to tap into the child’s natural curiosity, encourage the child’s awareness of the process and to see themselves as contributors to the learning experience. We encourage the contribution of all voices. We believe diversity of thought and collaborative pursuits strengthen us as learners.
Early Childhood News & Views
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Kindergarteners Explore Sunflowers
Kindergarteners spent the day in an interdisciplinary study of the sunflowers in bloom outside of their building.Read More
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New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
