Clark Preschool Pre-K Classroom Uses Hands-On Learning With Tools of the Mind Curriculum

Ms. Caitlin Yergalonis’ Pre-K classroom in the Clark preschool program is using thematic, hands-on learning to help students develop essential life and academic skills. The classroom follows the Tools of the Mind Curriculum, which asks teachers to transform their learning spaces into thematically driven activity centers where students engage in purposeful pretend play.

The school year started with a focus on studying the family and family responsibilities. Currently, students are exploring two connected learning environments: a classroom laundry room and a garage, each filled with authentic learning activities about household jobs and responsibilities.

In the laundry room, students practice real-world life skills while developing academic and social competencies. They place clothes into a cardboard washer and dryer decorated by the students themselves. They add laundry detergent, move items to the dryer, and add fabric sheets. Students practice folding, sorting, and ironing clothes using an actual classroom ironing board and iron.

Through this pretend play in the laundry room, students develop independence, responsibility, fine motor skills, language development, and social-emotional skills while working alongside peers. The curriculum encourages students to gain understanding of the many jobs needed in a family through make-believe play that mirrors real household responsibilities.

In the garage learning center, students fix pretend cars and build wheels and steering wheels while checking engines. Through this hands-on play, students learn about car parts and how vehicles operate. The garage space transforms learning into exploration and discovery.

Ms. Yergalonis expressed enthusiasm for the approach. “The students love to play in the garage,” she said. “What student wouldn’t?” She added, “It has been such a busy time so far in our Family Theme in the Clark Pre-K. Stay tuned to see what theme is next.”

The Tools of the Mind Curriculum emphasizes that learning happens when children engage in purposeful, theme-based activities that connect to their daily lives. By creating realistic classroom environments where students practice family and household skills, teachers help children develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

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FAQ

Q: What is the Tools of the Mind Curriculum?
A: Tools of the Mind is an educational approach that uses thematic, hands-on activities to help children learn. Teachers transform classrooms into realistic environments where students engage in purposeful pretend play connected to real-world skills and responsibilities.

Q: What are students learning in the laundry room activity center?
A: Students practice life skills including loading a washer, adding detergent, transferring clothes to a dryer, folding, sorting, and ironing. Through this pretend play, they develop independence, responsibility, fine motor skills, and social-emotional abilities.

Q: What skills does the garage activity center teach?
A: In the garage, students learn about car parts and how vehicles operate by building wheels, steering wheels, and checking pretend engines. This hands-on exploration develops problem-solving and mechanical understanding.

Q: How does thematic learning benefit preschoolers?
A: Thematic learning helps children connect classroom activities to their daily lives, making learning meaningful and engaging. It develops multiple skills simultaneously, including academic, motor, language, and social-emotional competencies.

Q: What theme will the classroom explore next?
A: Ms. Yergalonis indicated that the classroom will move to a new theme after completing the Family Theme, though the specific next theme has not been announced yet.