Learning begins with curiosity.
Learning at PKA begins with what children notice, wonder about, and want to understand. Through playing, exploring, and discovering, children follow their curiosity, make connections, and develop their own ideas. Their questions give teachers a starting point for experiences that invite them to investigate, experiment, create, and think more deeply.
Teachers listen closely, observe, ask thoughtful questions, and introduce materials or experiences that help children take an idea further. Rather than directing every step, they give children time to play, make choices, test ideas, solve problems, and discover their own ways of doing things.
Drawing inspiration from Reggio Emilia and Montessori, we see children as capable and active participants in their learning. The classroom, the materials, the teachers, and the children all become part of a process of playing, exploring, discovering, and growing together.
Our philosophy
What guides us.
Six ideas shape every day at PKA, in both our Park Slope and Prospect Heights classrooms.
Learning through play
Play is how young children make sense of the world. Through play, exploration and hands-on experiences, they test ideas, solve problems and discover what they can do.
Children’s interests lead the way
What children notice, wonder about and get excited by helps shape what happens next. Their questions become starting points for investigating, creating and thinking more deeply.
Inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori
We see children as capable, curious and active participants in their own learning, with time to make choices and follow their ideas.
Teachers as guides
Our teachers listen, observe and ask thoughtful questions. They offer support when it’s needed and step back when it matters, without directing every step.
Spaces designed for discovery
The classroom is part of the learning. Materials are within reach, children’s work is visible and valued, and the space evolves as new interests emerge.
Connection comes first
Children grow when they feel safe and known. Close relationships with teachers, friends and families give them the confidence to try something new.
Children wonder. Teachers listen. Ideas grow.
Visit our classrooms, meet our team, and get a feel for the PKA community.
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