A young child's best learning tools are their head, hands, and heart. At The Saklan School, our Preschool and Pre-K programs harness children's natural curiosity through Project-Based Learning, hands-on exploration, and meaningful play experiences that build the academic, social, and emotional foundations for future success.
Our low student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to know each child deeply and support their individual growth. Teachers serve as guides, encouraging children to ask questions, investigate ideas, make discoveries, and actively participate in their own learning. Through a warm and nurturing environment, students develop confidence, independence, collaboration skills, and a lifelong love of learning.
Project Based Learning is at the heart of the Saklan Early Childhood experience. Each year, students engage in in-depth Projects inspired by their interests, observations, and questions about the world around them. Projects begin with a topic that sparks curiosity and excitement. As students explore, they generate their own questions, participate in field experiences, meet with experts, conduct investigations, and create a variety of representations to share their learning. The Project concludes with a culminating event where students welcome families and friends to celebrate and showcase their discoveries.
Recent Projects have included:
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These projects naturally integrate literacy, math, science, social studies, art, and social-emotional learning, allowing students to explore topics in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. Rather than learning subjects in isolation, children build knowledge and skills through authentic investigations that connect classroom learning to their lives.
A typical day includes a balance of project work, guided instruction, independent exploration, outdoor play, and opportunities to collaborate with peers. Through these experiences, students develop the foundational academic skills, critical thinking abilities, and social-emotional competencies that prepare them for success in kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond.
The Saklan School offers both a Preschool (3-year-old) classroom and a Pre-K (4-year-old) classroom. Both programs operate five days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with extended care available from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
In addition to Project work, all Preschool and Pre-K students participate in:
Students are introduced to Spanish through songs, stories, games, and interactive activities that build vocabulary and foster an appreciation for language learning.
Students explore instruments, movement, singing, and a variety of musical styles while developing creativity and self-expression. They are also introduced to elements of live performance and the joy of making music together.
In Early Childhood, Physical Education focuses on developing coordination, motor skills, teamwork, and confidence through active play, movement, games, and sports exploration.
Bi-weekly library visits encourage a love of reading and help students build early literacy skills while exploring a wide variety of books.
Field experiences are an essential part of Project-Based Learning. Visits to places such as the Moraga Community Garden, Chabot Space & Science Center, local businesses, and community organizations help students connect classroom investigations to the real world and deepen their understanding through firsthand experiences.
