Further Reading
Below you will find a number of books and articles that will help you understand the basis for many of our school's practices.
We have also included parent testimonials at the bottom of the page.
Books
How to Generate Values in Young Children - Sue Spayth Riley
ODS Curriculum Guide; Pathways to Learning (this may be purchased at The Open Door School in Charlotte)
Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv
Play-- The Foundation that Supports the House of Higher Learning - Lisa Murphy
How to Talk to Children So They Will Listen and Listen So They Will Talk - Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Punished by Rewards: the Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes - Alfie Kohn
How Children Learn - John Holt
Positive Discipline - Jane Nelsen
Articles
Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job" - Alfie Kohn
Health and Safety - Have you heard the latest? Thoughts on outdoor play.
Play, naturally: A review of children's natural play - Stuart Lester & Martin Maudsley
The Worksheet Dilemma: Benefits of a Play-Based Curriculum - Sue Grossman
Play Again: What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature?
How to spot a high quality play-based pre-school
Parent Testimonials
My three year old son, T, attends the Schoolhouse. The teachers are phenomenal - loving, bright, capable...they immerse the students in a world of wonder indoors and out. The other day, T called my attention to bees hovering around a flower bush, exclaiming, "Look, they're pollinating!" That observation says so much to me about the skills he's acquiring in such a natural way.
I also believe the Schoolhouse community is influential in my son's growth. Due to moves, we've been at a couple of preschools before this, and I've volunteered in some capacity at each of them. My previous experience has been that a small percentage of families do the majority of the work. I don't feel like the cooperative component of the Schoolhouse demands any more of my time than what I have given at the other schools, but I do feel like the spirit is different because each and every family is contributing. - Whitney F.
"I was here for two years in the past with my son, who is entering his kindergarten year and my daughter is a rising 3 year old this coming school year. I am so excited to be back at The Children's Schoolhouse and have truly missed it. There is really something magic about this school and it starts with the teachers but also the family involvement. I cannot say enough about both teachers, Miss Deb and Miss Tara. My son still talks about them. They encourage children to explore, play, have disagreements, make-up, create things, destroy things, love the arts, and especially story and music time. The children realize that school is for fun and learning about their interests. The children develop the skills to work with others even those they have nothing in common with. Each child is unique and is treated accordingly. the teachers have a wonderful way of finding your child's best learning style and adapting their approach to fit them specifically. It truly is all about the children at the Schoolhouse. I would not choose anywhere else for my daughter to attend. My son's kindergarten teacher often comments on his mature social skills, this stems from acceptance, tolerance, compassion, self-control and love of learning he discovered at The Schoolhouse." - Kerri G.