STEM preschool Castro Valley S.T.E.M. Sprouts Preschool science technology engineering math reggio emilia emergent
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What is S.T.E.M. Sprouts Preschool?
S.T.E.M. Sprouts is a small, intimate home-based preschool experience unlike any other preschool you've seen. Here, your child will thrive -- cognitively, socially, emotionally. We provide a safe, constructivist learning environment, with an emphasis on the whole child fostered through S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, math) education and activities.
Our program draws from what we believe are the best of several different philosophies: at the heart, we are child-centered. We believe and uphold the principles of respect, responsibility and community through supportive exploration and enriched environment.
We balance letting the children guide their own interests and therefore their learning, with planned learning activities based on these interests...covering all the preschool learning objectives to prepare them for Kindergarten.
We promote respect and care for selves and for others. And perhaps most importantly --- we will inspire a love of exploration and learning that will be an amazing foundation for the rest of their lives.
School Day Info
** We are open Monday through Thursday, and have full and half day options.
** We have a very limited number of students, and we welcome ages 2.9 - 6 years old.
** Your child will enjoy a healthy, balanced, organic snack morning and afternoon, provided by us.
** Each day your child will engage in morning meetings, scaffolded and tons of free play both indoor and outdoor, and one or more planned learning activity which aligns with the children's current interests and theme.
Why Science in Preschool?
Young children are natural Scientists! Science in early childhood is so unique in that it provides a rich context for development in all other main areas which young children need to learn and grow:
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Math – counting, measuring, patterns, graphs, comparing/contrasting
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Language and Literacy – letter recognition and practice, following multi-step directions, building vocabulary, singing songs, importance of books, writing
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Communication skills – communicating ideas, experiences, feelings, questions, recording observations and explanations
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Social skills – science is a social activity – interaction and cooperation with friends, exchanging ideas, collaboration on projects
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Art - art is integral to all these subject areas, and an absolutely essential tool for early childhood development
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Creativity
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Large and small muscle control – art materials (pens/markers/art media), manipulatives, using the varieties of tools we use to do science
Preschool is the perfect time to develop Science skills!
In today’s world, children’s opportunity to do science is often limited – too often it might be passive or secondhand with screens or games; or modern technology has hidden where things (ie. food) actually comes from or how or, how something might work inside when all they need to do is push a button. Some tools of science may be available to them, but the opportunity for rich concept building may be lost in the shuffle as their interest moves from item to item.
At S.T.E.M. Sprouts, we go through the stages needed to have the concepts internalized. We will always debrief together on what we’re doing and experiencing because that brings the science concepts into a memorable experience and reality.
S.T.E.M. explorations through Science fosters:
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Critical thinking
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Problem solving
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Creativity
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Collaboration
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Communication
What is S.T.E.M.?
By introducing S.T.E.M. concepts in early childhood, we help prepare today’s children to become tomorrow’s innovators, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and stewards of global well-being.
Science is a way of thinking. With science, we observe, experiment, and make predictions. We ask questions about things and objects, and wonder how things work.
Science is understanding the natural world, and the process of exploration called scientific inquiry.
Technology is a way of doing. With technology, we use tools to be inventive, solve problems, and make things work.
Engineering is a way of doing. In engineering, we solve problems using a variety of materials. We design, create and build things.
Math is a way of measuring, sequencing (1, 2, 3, 4…), patterning (red, yellow, blue, red, yellow…), and exploring shapes, volume (holds more or less), and size (bigger, less than).
STEM explorations through every day experiences provide children many opportunities to...
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Ask questions
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Make sense of what they observe
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Build a coherent understanding of the world around them
One of the great things about S.T.E.M. education in preschool is that it's not just for boys...it's equally available and accessible for boys and girls!
Building their brains in preschool
“The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating people who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” -- Jean Piaget
“A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils.”
- Ever Garrison
Current brain research has confirmed that in early childhood years, positive and varied experiences are crucial to laying the groundwork for later capabilities. In the early years, young children’s brain cells form connections (synapses) very rapidly. These connections are in part formed by interactions, experiences – these positive experiences profoundly stimulate the young brain. By the time they are three years old, they will have twice as many neural connections as adults!
After this, connections that aren’t used are eliminated, called “pruning.” This is a necessary process, just like in a garden where you prune away things not needed, so that enough sunlight and food lets the essential things grow and flourish. Children’s brain connections that have been used repeatedly in the early years become stronger and tend to remain; those that have not been used much are pruned away, to allow for that child’s ‘used or needed’ connections to thrive and strengthen.
Offering these varied and rich experiences in early childhood environments help lay the foundation for the scope of their abilities in these exact areas later on. Expose them now to these experiences and concepts, and their brains will make framework connections that they can rely upon later!
Philosophy
The beauty of young children is they have an innate, unbounded awe and curiosity about the world around them. They are natural explorers…little sponges for information and experiences, and they need many different ways to explore and express this knowledge. Young children are the definition of little Scientists. Through play, they use every opportunity to explore, ask questions, predict what might happen, experiment, and test their ideas.
At S.T.E.M. Sprouts, we honor and nurture this beautiful, natural ability. We follow your little scientist’s interests, letting them discover concepts and also guiding them through intentional curriculum to complete that scientific learning loop through documenting, reflecting, drawing conclusions and then asking more questions. They’ll have the opportunity to express their learning in many different ways – from weekly art projects, to building things, to discussions, to journaling. Along the way and over time, they will solidify the concepts and accurate, new vocabulary.
We use a constructivist approach to learning, whereby children learn through hands-on experience and discovery – assimilating ideas of what they already know into new information they actively build through their discoveries. Our curriculum is emergent (child originated and teacher framed), and we take advantage of teachable moments driven by the children’s interests, building upon their discoveries. Through this high-quality education and by addressing state standards, we will prepare children for kindergarten.
With a S.T.E.-A.-M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math -- and Art) focus, we are providing the children many age-appropriate experiences in each of these subject areas in order for them to create rich, deep reservoirs of mental images, representations and concepts. These reservoirs can then be tapped to help them recognize, analyze and make predictions about things in the future. The more rich and deep these experiences now, the more ready their mental capability for these subjects later.
Our culture/core values are: Exploration, creativity, scholarship, community, FUN
The Whole Child & Family
Emotional well-being, self-understanding, self-knowledge and social competence are major goals in early childhood. We nurture this in each child through supportive exploration, nurturing respect and understanding of each other, and that each child is accepted for their own uniqueness and learning style. Hands-on, collaborative activities which are accessible, and yet always something new for them to learn, keeps them at a comfortable yet challenged learning level.
Focusing on the whole child means everyone is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged
Most importantly – we PLAY and have FUN while learning! S.T.E.M. education is joyful discovery, and we are so lucky that it encompasses all other important areas of early childhood development: Math, Creative Arts, Social skills, Language and Literacy, and Approaches to Learning.
The parent-child bond is sacred. We nurture this special parent-child relationship by keeping in regular, thoughtful and thorough communication. Your child will always know you love them, and you will always know the ways in which your child is growing and learning.
“Scientific thought, then, is not momentary; it is not a static instance; it is a process.”
-- Jean Piaget”
"Play is the highest form of research."
-- Albert Einstein
“The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out.”
-- Bill Gates
About Sandra Turretta, founder.
Founder Sandra Turretta has always held an innate and infectious passion for teaching and learning, especially with young children. She loves to learn and discover right along with them!
Sandra received her undergraduate degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry. Later she went on to receive a Masters degree from USF in Teaching secondary school, with Science as the focus. In addition, she has completed her Early Childhood Education and Development courses, has completed countless workshops and trainings in early childhood STEM education venues, and has interned at reggio-inspired preschools. She is a big believer in ongoing education and will always stay up-to-date on current early education STEM techniques.
Over the years that Sandra has been working on this idea -- while completing her Masters and other early childhood classes, researching, visiting and interning at various preschools in the area, and as she researched and enrolled her own children in different preschool styles -- Sandra has come to appreciate different aspects of each preschool environment learning philosophy. She wanted to create a place that...
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Nurtures the Whole Child -- ensuring each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged
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Lets the Children Discover and Learn About each of their Interests -- don't force subjects, but take their interests and expand on them
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Approached through a S.T.E.M. Lens -- addressing the science/technology/engineering/math in the day to day activities and interests, which helps build that important foundation for the rest of their lives. So much research indicates that early childhood is where the beginnings of these concepts need to be internalized, as their brains are developing and pruning in this time period.
Important to note that Art is highly incorporated in this age group. It allows them to represent and access their knowledge in a tactile, hands-on way which is so necessary for this age, is essential to release creativity using many different material types and is also wonderful for small motor. It is an integral part of the curriculum.
Sandra has three children of her own, loves to explore and learn new things, and is a natural teacher. This new school has been a vision coming true of Sandra's, and she is so excited to share it with you and your child!
Testimonials...
"This letter is to support the overall competency, professionalism and expertise of Sandra Turretta in the realm of an early childhood education. I am the former director of Wildwood Children’s School, and while I was in this capacity I had the pleasure of developing a professional relationship with Sandra. Sandra contacted me searching for a school to join as a volunteer. She alerted me that she was currently enrolled in ECE classes as well as in preparations for opening her own home-based preschool. Sandra was intrigued by our school’s philosophy of child-driven curriculum, nature and a deep respect for and belief in the competency of all young children. I immediately admired Sandra for her forefront nature in seeking out a school on her own. She told me she wished to be an informal intern—to observe teachers and children, to discuss goals and philosophy, and be part of setting that seemed to resemble her own developing philosophy.
When I met Sandra I was greeted by a warm, smiling face and an attitude of drive. Sandra immediately began integrating with the children, building relationships through play. They naturally took her to her energy, often being comforted during hard times. Sandra began to plan activities for children, beforehand or in the moment. Her language was thoughtful, intentional and respectful. Sandra also completed a detailed, educational observation of one child. Her thinking was clearly high level and displayed a comprehensive understanding of development.
I see Sandra as the highest quality early childhood educator, and would happily recommend any family to enroll in her school. She is respectful of children, competent in her knowledge, and an overall professional, organized and motivated educator."
Sincerely,
Leah Bray, M.A.
Sandra Turretta, is about to launch STEM SPROUTS Preschool in Castro Valley! This venture is a win-win situation! If ever there is or was a more perfect match than Sandra with Children, it is yet to be known! ENTHUSIASM is Sandra’s middle name...her excitement in working with little ones is met with their excitement in beginning to explore their world! Sandra’s love for learning is contagious, and children get that, immediately!
On a more personal level, Sandra is a responsible, loving and kind person, who just happens to be an excellent teacher. She understands the natural curiosity of children, and her goal is to explore with them! I wholeheartedly recommend and encourage Sandra, as the teacher of your child!
Mary Gotelli
(retired teacher and friend of Sandra’s)
