At Chrysalis your child will develop his creativity, intellect, motor skills and social abilities with a small group of peers in a comfortable home setting.  Your child’s natural curiosity will lead her through an unlimited range of learning situations. 

Maria Montessori calls this the time of the absorbent mind, during which children are like sponges, soaking up information, attitudes and sensations from all around them, taking in the world.

In an atmosphere permitting both playfulness and quiet individual activity, your child is encouraged to independently explore his own interests and develop at her own rate. Our teaching professionals gently guide your child in establishing the foundations of independence, order, respect, and self-esteem.

 
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Dealing With Angry Statements
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Entering School

I have realized over my many years of teaching that there are a few distinct patterns that parents tend to follow when dropping their child off at school in the morning.

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Parent Meeting on Power Struggles

This week we had a parent meeting about avoiding power struggles. I promised to send out some notes from the meeting. Here they are:

The best way to prevent power struggles with your child is to work diligently at cultivating a loving and respectful relationship with your child. When children feel a strong loving connection with their parents, they are less likely to oppose them, and more inclined to try to maintain harmony.

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What to Look For in a Quality Preschool Program

You obviously can’t ask each of these questions at every school you go to. But read over the list and keep some of these issues in mind as you watch and observe…

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Staying in Touch

One of the great things about teaching preschool for 30 years is watching the children turn into wonderful adults. Almost every time I go out in Portland I run into a parent of a Chrysalis alum. I get to hear about what college they are going to, graduation from eighth grade, how second grade is much harder than first.

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Independent Activities
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Holidays at Chrysalis

At Chrysalis we celebrate what children or teachers celebrate at home. Often children are exposed to new and different holidays or celebrations and customs. When I saw a Chrysalis alum family recently, the dad told me that they have continued celebrating the Winter Solstice each year because their child insisted.

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Endings...

On Friday, we had a flyaway ceremony for the children who are leaving Chrysalis after 3 years of preschool. The community of parents, teachers, grandparents and children gathered in the park. The teachers spoke about each child who was leaving remarking on the major changes we have seen from 2 years old to 5.

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A Chrysalis blog for everyone

For years we've had a private blog for Chrysalis parents, where we tell stories of the day's happenings including current themes (we just finished Pirate Week), special activities (such as Drama Monday), outdoor play, field trips, and those moments of magic which happen on a regular basis when Chrysalis is in session.

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