Welcome to Caterpillar Farm preschool and outdoor Spanish immersion program on Vashon Island, WA. Designed to teach children from nearly 3 to 6 yrs of age through play, art, music & dance, science, gardening, and chores. Rain or shine.
I am happy you are here and interested in what our play-based education program has to offer! Learning naturally through play is enjoyable and process-oriented. It makes room for confidence building, development of cognitive and social skills, problem solving, experimentation, and creativity all while offering children the beauty of learning another language through an immersive experience.
Educational Philosophy
Caterpillar Farm preschool has 4 key elements that makes it a special place for children:
1. Spanish Immersion Todo en Español — The importance of language immersion during early childhood cannot be overstated. Research and experience have shown that exposing children to a second language from a young age offers numerous benefits and sets the stage for lifelong language learning. Here are some key reasons why language immersion is valuable during early childhood:
2. Fully Outdoors Con sol, lluvia, y nieve, nosotros siempre afuera. —
After working closely with Dana Schurholtz at Vashon Green School for 4 years, I learned that the outdoors offers a multitude of benefits for children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Here are some key reasons why outdoor play is crucial:
At Caterpillar Farm preschool, we proudly embrace Bev Bos's philosophy, placing play at the heart of our educational approach. We believe that children learn best through meaningful and joyful experiences. Here is a glimpse into how Caterpillar Farm Preschool embodies Bev Bos's philosophy:
The Multiple Brain Integration Technique is a concept developed by Marvin Oka and Grant Soosalu that has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential to enhance personal and professional development. Integrating it into a preschool curriculum can be used to promote holistic development in young children.
We are always accepting pieces to use in our free play. Items such as ping-pong balls, paint brushes that are odd or big, paint rollers, sponges, gutters, and PVC pipes. If you have anything that you’re ready to pass along that you think may be of use, please get in touch. Thank you for helping me find these objects!
