Early Childhood Academics
St. Mark's early childhood program engages children in a holistic program designed to integrate social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical lessons into the whole learning experience. Educators recognize the developmental value of introducing a second language in the early years; our children are introduced to Spanish through music, story-telling, and vocabulary activities. The school believes that a personal relationship with the child's family contributes to the success of the development of each child. Teachers regularly communicate with parents, including formal reports during the school year that highlight the development of skills in the cognitive, social and emotional domains.
Children learn through interaction and play with their peers in the school's well-planned, age-appropriate classrooms and outdoor environments where they are invited to explore their expanding world. Library visits and storytelling experiences help students build vocabulary and communication skills. Thematic studies immerse students in multi-faceted experiences that expand their knowledge of the world around them. Enrichment presentations like "Wildlife on Wheels" from the Houston Zoo, puppet shows, musical guests and visiting authors extend their experiences in science, the arts, and reading. Teachers and assistants gently guide these young students as they are:
- Absorbing the world around them through authentic experiences, including watering the butterfly garden, building a milk carton igloo or measuring flour for a rainbow cake.
- Belonging to a classroom community where hands-on learning activities allow them to master their environment and the Honor Code reminds us to use kind words with our friends, to listen to our teachers and to do our best work every day in our classrooms.
- Creating through music and movement, art, pretend and block play, encouraging the children to develop problem solving, ingenuity, creative thinking and an aesthetic spirit.
- Developing independence, self-confidence and a strong sense of "I am; I can'
