Last week in art class we were inspired by a book of poems about the seasons called "Red Sings From Treetops." The poem about fall got the children thinking about fall colors and their associations to them.  The children learned about the "wet on wet" watercolor technique. Each group started with one of the primary colors, then did a second painting where they added a color to create a secondary color.  The children learned how to use a delicate touch while experimenting with brushes, sponges, cotton swabs and paper towels, and learned or reinforced  what they knew about color mixing.  These fluid watercolor paintings will be used as backgrounds for future work, so stay tuned.  I told the children to be keen observers of leaves in the weeks ahead. You can help them notice the various shapes, sizes, and colors.  We will be incorporating these observations into our art during our...

Brooksfield sits on about 5 acres and we are very fortunate to have organic gardens throughout our campus.   Gardening is webbed into our curriculum on a weekly basis.  Last week some of our students got to dig for potatoes with Mary, our gardener! We dug up quite a few red and white potatoes (the larger ones are at the bottom of the pots). The students did a great job digging and washing the potatoes. Students played the one potato two potato counting game, and read the story Two Old Potatoes and Me.  We then got to eat smashed potatoes with olive oil with our lunch! Thanks to Virginia and her students from last year for  planting these potatoes in the spring for us! They grew well over the summer and are fun to harvest and eat in the fall!  

Your toddler is your world. Yes, the sun does rise and set in him, at least in your universe. He is walking, starting to talk, and gaining a degree of independence. Now is the time to consider enrolling him in a daycare program. Many reasons present themselves for considering a toddler daycare program . Mclean offers a wide variety of choices. Sorting through each one is both time-consuming and essential to the health and well-being of your little one, as well as to your personal peace of mind. No reason for this process is more important than assuring you choose a quality program that fits your goals for your child and your child's future. Look for quality indicators in these areas: health and safety considerations, appropriate teacher-child interactions, child-directed learning, aesthetically pleasing environments, parent involvement and program philosophy. It is always a good idea to seek references from like-minded parents. How...

Did you visit a National Park this summer? KidsPost has a picture contest ending August 30th for some of the best photos taken this summer in America's National Parks. Celebrate 100 years of family trips to National Parks across the country. Take advantage of the several National Parks, memorials, monuments, and historical sites that the Washington DC area has to offer and send your pictures in! Photo shots must have been taken following May 26th, 2016. All entries due by August 30th! Be sure there is at least one person in the image age 5-13. Check out the details here!

Not traveling anywhere this summer? Or have you just recently gotten back from your vacation? You could win a prize from the KidsPost by submitting photos of all your summer fun! Don't be shy! What better way to start the school year with a prize pack!  See the link below for full article on the The Washington Post . Check out the details here!

  Arts education is an important part of Brooksfield’s mission. Exploring rhythm on drums and percussion instruments encourages students to develop their ear for music. By making music together, we have fun and build a sense of community. Often students take turns making music for each other, with one group dancing to the original musical creations of their friends. Children are encouraged to teach their parents the dances they are learning as “homework” on the weekends, and report back on how everyone danced together at home!

Every week throughout the school year, young artists at Brooksfield gather  to dance, drum, sing and express themselves. Fall and Spring, we use puppets and masks to turn the Pine Grove & Peace Garden into a magical land where animals play and make friends. When we depart, faerie houses and elf forts dot the landscape! During the Winter months, we stay cozy and create indoor environments for imaginative play, including a tiny trampoline, a loooong cloth river & waterfall, and music from cultures around the world.     

Brooksfield is happy to announce it will now be offering BEFORE and AFTER care to students attending Chesterbrook, Haycock and Kent Gardens Elementary schools!  The afternoon Extended Day program has welcomed students from Chesterbrook Elementary school for the last several years.  With the purchase of Buster, our school bus, we are now excited to expand the program and offer BEFORE and AFTER care to students at Chesterbrook, Haycock and Kent Gardens in grades K through 6th.  Buster will be able to drop off students in the morning to the three schools and pick the students up from Kent Gardens and Haycock.  Chesterbrook students will continue to ride the county bus to Brooksfield in the afternoons.  Extended Day hours will be from 7:30am to 9:00am and 3:30-5:55pm. Brooksfield's Extended Day program is designed to provide a home-like setting with activities that are fun in nature including arts and crafts, cooking, field games,...

Brooksfield School is happy to announce that it will be opening up a two year old toddler program beginning in the Fall 2016-17 school year!  We are really excited to offer another wonderful Montessori program to our families that will incorporate the Montessori curiculum as well as the arts and the outdoors!  The program will consist of a 5 day a week schedule with 9am to 12pm, 9am to 3pm and 7:30am to 5:55pm options. The best part about the program?... the child does NOT have to be potty trained!   If you have a two year old or a rising two year old who you would like to be considered for the program, please contact Sarah Krawchuk, the Admissions Director.  

  Claire and Ceyda's Class started a six-week program that combines both grace and courtesy and mindfulness in the classroom. This program fosters positive outcomes of love, kindness, and empathy through interacting with furry friends and reading books about a dog named Little Dude. The series of books focus on different topics: feelings, empathy, respect, kindness, manners and courage. Over the last few weeks, the children have had the opportunity to read or talk to Brownie, our class guinea pig! Brownie’s cage was set out on a rug and children were able to sit on “The Brownie Rug” and read, talk or just sit beside Brownie. Today, Claire's class had a special guest visit Brooksfield. Coco, Carlie’s dog, came to Brooksfield for the morning! The children took turns reading, walking and playing with Coco. The children practiced using gentle hands, being kind to Coco and showing her respect. As an act...