Tualatin Valley Preschool is founded on the philosophy of play, which emphasizes sensory learning and natural learning. Our program is child-centered, with the teachers gently guiding children to new understandings and connections.

Why is play so important?

Play encourages the child's natural desire to learn. They are provided experiences on a sensory level which gives them the most basic pleasures in physical activity and playing in various situations. Through their curiosity, inventiveness and spontaneous energy, they develop a lifetime of learning.

Through play, children can explore the world, find out how it works and find out about themselves and their capabilities. It is a way of allowing them to repeat and repeat until they master the skill required to carry out their purpose, giving them confidence.

Young children need to:

• use their changing bodies
• explore the world around them
• grow in language
• organize their learnings
• learn to work with others
• think of themselves as capable people

Through play children learn to:

• test and exercise their bodies
• handle, taste, smell and observe
• extend language through their own experiences
• act things out - living things over
• share materials and people
• be accepted
• solve problems on their own