Early Childhood Education in Houston, Texas

The Explorers program is for our youngest students, 18 month olds to younger two-year-olds. To join us in this classroom, students are required to be 18 months old by August 1. Our teachers work with these students on developing independence and socialization, building self-control and instilling a love of learning.

Explorers students experience:

play-based learning as we introduce them to life at school,
open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children,
activities designed to “grow” age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and teacher guided activities, and
the joy of hands-on, active learning projects.

The Seekers program is for students who are “older” two year olds. To join us in this classroom, students are required to be 2 years old by August 1. Our teachers work with these students to instill a love of learning and the joy of discovery.

Seekers students experience:

open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children,
scaffolded activities designed to foster individual development and age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and materials as well as teacher guided activities, and
active learning projects that further each child’s development through independence, socialization, self-regulation, and foundational skill development.

Explorers & Seekers Curriculum

Age

Curriculum

Explorers & Seekers Curriculum

In Explorers & Seekers, expressive language is developed through storytelling, read-aloud stories, picture concept materials, and daily interaction. Thematic studies engage students in hands-on activities centered around holidays, weather, families, nature, and more. Classroom materials are selected to build math, science, and reading readiness. During this time, students come into their own by further developing speech, acting as part of a group, continuing to gain independence, and developing self-help skills through play with peers.

Learn more about math across the St. Mark's experience.

Learn more about language arts across the St. Mark's experience.

Learn more about social studies across the St. Mark's experience.

Learn more about science across the St. Mark's experience.

Learning Centers

Outdoor Play

Social-Emotional Learning

Primary School Social-Emotional Learning

Helping children develop their social and emotional skills is the heart and soul of Primary School. Our teachers facilitate the development of social and emotional competence as they progress through the Primary division using key elements from Conscious Discipline for emotional regulation and Responsive Classroom for community building. Teachers intentionally support children’s social and emotional growth by using children’s books, planning activities to practice relationship building, coaching on the spot, giving effective praise, modeling appropriate behaviors, and providing cues. Primary School teachers prioritize developing children’s social and emotional skills and are richly rewarded with happy, engaged children who learn to avoid and resolve conflicts, share and take turns, and express their emotions in productive ways.

Learn more about social-emotional learning across the St. Mark's experience.

Enrichment Classes

Explorers participate in a modified version of Spanish, Religion, Music and Library classes. They will attend PE class weekly to practice and develop gross motor skills. Seekers participate in Spanish, Library, Religion, Music, and Movement.

In the fall, our Explorers and Seekers will join older students in attending Primary School Chapel.

Primary School Religion

The Religion curriculum aims to provide a foundation in the Christian faith while recognizing the diversity of our students. As an Episcopal school we welcome students of all faiths and encourage the sharing of religious traditions. The inclusive nature of St. Mark’s creates a deeper respect for denominational differences and different religious beliefs as students share their own faith experiences. The objective of religious education at St. Mark’s is to help students experience and realize the spiritual dimension of life.

Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s: Religion classes in the early childhood years use the Frolic Nursery preschool curriculum. Frolic Nursery explores faith concepts through storytelling, interactive activities, music, and prayers to nurture faith through play. Each week, lessons follow the same process with a time to gather and share, play songs, listen to stories, and engage in a creative play space. This curriculum provides an age-appropriate introduction of faith concepts and offers consistency of routine for children.

Pre-K and Kindergarten: Primary School students have religion class weekly throughout the year. The Godly Play curriculum is a creative, imaginative, Montessori-based approach to religious education that spirals over three years, allowing children to explore the mystery of God’s presence, find direction in their lives, and make meaning through story, wonder, and play. As part of the Episcopal identity of welcoming other faiths, students learn about other religious observances incorporated throughout the year.

Primary School Art

Art surrounds our youngest students throughout the school year. Students work on art projects in their classrooms throughout their time in Primary School. Formal art classes begin in kindergarten with the introduction of new art mediums, and artist studies—Renaissance for the 1st trimester, Impressionism for the 2nd trimester, and Modernism for the 3rd trimester.

Primary School Spanish

Students in Primary School are introduced to the Spanish language through play and discovery. Young learners explore Spanish through the use of songs, rhymes, games, manipulatives, and stories. The focus for early language learners is the element of repetitive, simple, and comprehensible language through the use of context. Simple words and phrases when connected with movement, music, and visuals provide an excellent means for early language learners to begin their introduction to a second language. Primary School students are provided song books, manipulatives, games, and activities. Students learn about Spanish culture, as well as many seasonal words and phrases. Spanish classes incorporate thematic vocabulary and concepts used in students’ daily classroom learning, helping to develop a cross-curricular understanding for students as they learn elements of a new language.

Explorers & Seekers and Preschool 3s Library

Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s enjoy library classes, during which they listen to a variety of stories, sing songs, retell stories, and recite nursery rhymes or poems. Three-year-olds begin to learn literacy skills such as making predictions about stories, making connections between books, and discussing characters.

Explorers & Seekers and Preschool 3s PE

The PE program for Explorers, Seekers, and Preschool 3s focuses on fine and gross motor skills and finding joy through movement. All skills are worked consistently throughout the entire year, including body and tactile awareness, motor skills, and locomotor skills. The Preschool 3s program includes more fine motor skill development, traveling with body awareness, balancing, and participating in group activities. Students at this age take PE twice a week.

Primary School Music

Explorers, Seekers, Preschool 3s, and Pre-K: The music program in the first years of Primary School engages students in the earliest exploration of musical understanding, including tuneful singing, beat competency, listening skills, and instrument skills. Through organized lessons and the use of manipulative materials such as puppets, scarves, parachutes, and books, students explore music and develop their own musical abilities. They practice body awareness, self-control, and emotional regulation while singing and moving to a wide repertoire of seasonal songs. Starting in Preschool 3s, students perform in the Primary School Christmas Pageant.

Kindergarten: Kindergarten students continue their musicianship journey with further practice of tuneful singing, beat competency, listening skills, and instrument skills. The kindergarten year sets the foundation for a multi-year music curriculum that will continue throughout Lower School. During this year, students will learn to differentiate between musical opposites such as singing voice and speaking voice, loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low chanting and melodies, and beat and rhythm. Through songs, singing games, classroom activities, and the use of manipulatives, Music exposes students to a wide repertoire of seasonal songs and musical experiences. Kindergarten students perform in the Primary School Christmas Pageant.

Learn more about enrichment courses across the St. Mark's experience.