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The Heathwood Hall Approach

Early Childhood

The advantages of Heathwood Hall allow our youngest learners to grow in an atmosphere of curiosity.

Integrated, inquiry based learning is at the forefront of the innovative interdisciplinary approach to learning in the Early Childhood program. Language arts, math, science, and the arts are embedded in hands-on activities, explorations, and play, fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Every child is nurtured and valued by a dedicated and experienced team of teachers working in collaboration as experts in the field of early childhood. 

Responsive Classroom

Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on creating communities of connection and belonging, positive discipline, and developmental awareness. 

Students engage in routines and teachers utilize best practices including a daily morning meeting where students learn to greet each other, share about themselves, and make connections to their environment. 

Arts Curriculum

Students engage in a robust offering of related arts that aligns with the Lower School. Relationships with these specialists in their field are established in the Early Childhood program and carry over into Lower School to nurture students’ passions and curiosities.

Related Arts classes include the following:

  • Art Studio
  • Library
  • Music 
  • Science 
  • Guidance 
  • Physical Education 
  • Spanish (beginning in EC3)

 

Social Emotional Learning 

The Early Childhood program prioritizes social emotional development through play based learning. Children engage in play centers and structured activities where teachers model and students practice empathy, cooperation, communication, and problem solving - essential tools for positive social relationships. A guidance lesson is scheduled as part of the Related Arts rotation so each class has direct instruction to encourage and support positive social interactions. 

Mind, Body, Spirit 

Early Childhood students attend a weekly Chapel service with their grade level. The Chaplain and school librarian present weekly lessons oriented through story telling and manipulatives through the Godly Play Curriculum. 

Experiential Learning
Biology Buddies 

The Biology Buddies program pairs EC4 students with Upper School Biology students to study plant biology. Their collaboration builds collaborative skills and confidence—and often leads to new friendships as well.

Biology Buddies 
Reading Buddies

The Reading Buddies program connects our youngest learners with older student mentors from the Lower School, fostering a love of books and literacy through shared stories and engaging activities. This special partnership not only strengthens reading skills but also nurtures confidence, collaboration, and meaningful friendships across grade levels.

Children holding hands
Habitat Day

Students culminate their skill development with a six to eight week immersive student into a particular aspect of nature. Each class explores the bio-diversity of the five habits represented on Heathwood’s campus - pond, field, wetlands, forest, and river through research, exploration, and hands-on experiences. To celebrate their study and share it with their families, students invite the community to a Habitat Day performance where music and art are integrated in a special performance, followed by an exhibition of their learning. 

Habitat Day

 

 

Service Learning
Understanding the community beyond ours 

Integrated projects serve as opportunities for connections beyond the Heathwood community and bring awareness for students about how they might impact others. EC4 students take the initiative to mobilize and collect canned goods for Harvest Hope, a Columbia food bank. Students make posters and take turns holding them during morning carpool, they use math skills to count and tally their collection and then take a field trip to deliver the items collected. 

Community events such as Merry Makers, are also opportunities to make a difference. Students perform holiday songs for their parents and then together families make decorations and crafts as part of a diaper and toy collection for Arthurtown. 

Merry Makers is a time of fellowship and giving each December. Three and four year olds take turns performing a choral holiday show immediately followed by workshops to create ornaments and crafts for children and families in Arthurtown. Families collect diapers, toiletries, and toys to wrap and deliver. Each year, the children also enjoy visiting the Still Hopes Senior Living Community to perform for their residents and spread cheer.

Child on slide

Highlander Highlights