New school brings holistic learning
Published 2:16 pm Tuesday, September 20, 2016
- CARSON REEHER | HERALD Students at the Sunrise Learning Center interact with a nature table as their teacher and Chapman Hood Frazier, right, look on.
A new preschool in Farmville is working to provide its students with a holistic learning experience.
Sunrise Learning Center-Early Childhood Program (SLC), moved to Farmville after being in Rice for the past year. It’s new location is in the John’s Memorial Episcopal Church Parish House on High Street.
Dr. Deborah Carrington and Dr. Chapman Hood Frazier formed the school as a way to provide a high-quality preschool education. The school provides classes for both Pre-K and K1, with 16 and 10 students, respectively, filled by children who were on a waiting list. With help from Frazier, three teachers and five teaching assistants, Carrington’s goal of creating a preschool has become a reality.
Carrington said that throughout her long-term experience as an educator, she was inspired by holistic education. Being a parent also inspired her.
“A holistic approach to education nurtures each stage of development and provides a solid foundation for lifelong learning,” Carrington said.
CARSON REEHER | HERALD
Kim Hailey, one of the teachers at the Sunrise Learning Center, leads the children to the Grove Street Park for play time.
In addition to his own educational background, Frazier serves on the Prince Edward County school board.
The school encourages students to think critically, creatively and collaboratively.
As part of the mission, students are asked to wear simple, functional clothing free of media-related imagery and encouraged to bring healthy snacks and lunch. They spend much time outside, regardless of the weather. The school’s new site has not only an outdoor play area, but is also a walk away from Grove Street Park.
CARSON REEHER | HERALD
Sunrise Learning Center students play on playground equipment at Grove Street Park during their outside time one morning.
Frazier said he follows a “central belief” environment is the “second teacher.” Therefore, he said, the school does not hang decorations centered on television characters or provide students with toys that discourage creativity. Children are encouraged to play with toys and games requiring innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. In one classroom, a table is available for students to look at different items found in nature. Students collaborate by adding items to the table when they find them during outside time.
Teacher Kim Hailey, who has 10 years of public school teaching experience, said she prefers a program like SLC’s because she can “teach children the way they naturally learn.”
In addition to its own teachers, the school collaborates with several departments at Longwood University.
Carrington and Frazier said they wanted to offer an option to parents who are looking for a program based on current research and practices while supporting all aspects of early developmental growth. They said there is a shortage of programs locally for 2-5 year olds.
“We see a need for educational programs that serve children and their families, particularly programs for young children,” Frazier said.
He said the school is open to and encourages parental involvement.
According to Frazier, the SLC program offers a gradual transition from home to a structured classroom environment, whether to public or private schools.
“Children may be 20 percent of the population, but they are 100 percent of the future,” Frazier said.
