Experience Our Academic Program

Beginners 3/4

Welcome to Beginners 3/4

It all begins with the child. At Country School we view three and four year olds as competent, capable and driven by an innate curiosity to make meaning and seek connection. Through hands-on experiences and focused lessons, our intentionally designed program cultivates each child’s expanding knowledge and love of learning. Time is spent in these formative years developing character, acquiring skills, cultivating creativity, encouraging initiative and pursuing passions.

Beginners 3/4 Highlights

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  • Beach Day

    Imaginative play is essential to childhood development, and it is a highlight of our Beginners 3/4 academic program. Through activities like our Beach Day and baking mud muffins in our outdoor kitchen, students engage in creative and explorative play that fosters cognitive, social, and emotional growth. These experiences allow children to develop problem-solving skills, enhance their language and communication abilities, and build strong social connections. By encouraging imagination and creativity, we provide a supportive environment where young learners can explore, experiment, and express themselves freely, laying a solid foundation for their future academic and personal success.

  • Buddies Program

    All students at Country School participate in our school-wide Buddies program, which fosters cross-grade connections and a strong sense of community. What’s unique in the Beginners program is that our youngest learners are paired with our oldest — ninth graders. This special partnership gives Beginners the chance to build relationships with confident, caring role models, while ninth graders take on meaningful leadership roles. Through play, conversation, and shared activities, these bonds nurture empathy, communication skills, and joy on both sides.

  • Symbols as a Tool for Identity and Connection

    At the start of each school year, each Beginners student receives a unique symbol that labels their cubbies and school work. These symbols help young learners recognize their belongings and create a sense of ownership and individuality. More than just practical markers, symbols are a meaningful form of communication — a way for children to connect with friends and to be known. While they don’t replace a child’s name, they serve as an additional pathway for children to begin recognizing written text — both their own and that of others. This practice supports the development of self-awareness, reinforces the concept of identity, and helps each child feel seen and valued within our classroom community. Through this thoughtful approach, we foster a nurturing environment where children can confidently explore and express themselves.

Beginners 3/4 Sample Schedule

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  • 7:30 a.m.

    Early Birds: Before School Programming Available
    Learn More

  • 8:15 a.m.

    Arrival & Morning Workperiod

  • 8:45 a.m.

    Morning Meeting

  • 9:00 a.m.

    Small Group Lesson

  • 9:30 a.m.

    Science, Spanish, Music or Motor

  • 10:00 a.m.

    Workperiod

  • 10:45 a.m.

    Snack

  • 11:00 a.m.

    Energize

  • 11:30 a.m.

    Story Time

  • 11:45 a.m.

    Closing Circle

  • 12:00 p.m.

    Dismissal

  • 3–5:30 p.m.

    After School Programming Available
    Learn More

Our Beginners 3/4 Curriculum

Language Arts

The Beginners Language Arts curriculum supports the development of emerging literacy skills, particularly oral language. Literacy develops in young children when they have opportunities to communicate and become engaged members of a classroom. Students experience a print-rich environment that cultivates interest in language and words. With teacher modeling through charts, stories, songs, poetry and messages, students are supported and encouraged to dictate stories as well as to form, draw, copy and trace letters of the alphabet. To build the underpinnings of beginning reading skills, children develop an ear for discriminating sounds through rhyme and alliteration, and by exploring letter sounds and symbols through games and direct instruction.

Social Studies

Social studies in the Beginners classroom is designed to foster an inclusive learning community where children develop a sense of self and an awareness of others. Teachers facilitate this growth through read-aloud, discussions and collaborative projects. The children explore the workings of their school environment to gain an understanding of their place in the broader campus community.

Mathematics

The Beginners mathematics curriculum draws upon the child’s natural curiosity about the world. Teachers design lessons for children to explore mathematical concepts and skills through relevant and meaningful activities. Using hands-on manipulatives, games and real-life experiences, children are introduced to and explore the concepts of numeracy, geometry, measurement and algebraic thinking. Problem-solving and reasoning skills are developed through questions intended to spark conversation among the children.

Science

Children are born scientists, driven by their curiosity to explore and discover. They learn through direct experiences in which they can form ideas, test them, see the results, revise their ideas and try again. In the Exploratory Lab, children interact with blocks, ramps, sand, water and wind. They are encouraged to experiment, notice cause and effect, and problem solve. An understanding of the natural world is formed with direct observation and hands-on experiences.

World Languages

Beginners are introduced to Spanish words and phrases in meaningful and contextual ways through interactive and joyful lessons that include songs, books, games, role-play and conversation.

Visual Arts

The Beginners art program promotes exploration and discovery through the use of various media such as clay, wire, string and paint as well as natural objects and recycled materials. Art is integrated into all curricular areas and value is placed on the process of the child’s experience.

Music & Movement

Early Childhood music and movement builds upon each child’s natural music ability. Beginners play with words, sounds and different ways to move. Song games with a part for each child give the students practice in basic rhythm skills and ear training. Children sing, chant, play games, dance, and move to classical and folk music.

Physical Education

In a nurturing, positive environment, Beginners receive guidance in developing a basic understanding of gross movement concepts and manipulative skills. The program emphasizes the acquisition of gross-motor skills and basic body management skills. Strength building, balance, coordination, teamwork, jumping, hopping and skipping are emphasized throughout the year.

Feels Like Home. Away from Home.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

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Accreditations

New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.