Beyond the basics, our center emphasize's 3 things:
Intergenerational Activities
Our unique center was purposefully built to promote many levels of interactions with the
residents of Schowalter Villa.
We offer: Observation through large windows into our multli-purpose room and infant/toddler rooms as well as low outside
windows in each classroom.
Visits each week by all children to various halls at the Villa.
Special planned activities in our large room, in the Villa lounges, or on “Main Street” the connecting link between our buildings.
Informal interactions as children are outside playing, as visitors come to the classroom or as the children go for
ice cream on Main Street in Villa.
Residents as teacher-aides in our classroom every day.
An Intergenerational Coordinator who plans and evaluates the intereactions between the children, residents and college students.
As a result of these interactions our children show less fear of the elderly, learn compassion for them,
become more accepting of differences, and gain first hand knowledge of life cycles.
   
"Generations together" philosophy lets all ages use their senses to explore, create, discover or
re-discover new things ...about themselves or nature.
Conflict Resolution
Hesston Child Care believes strongly in teaching children to resolve conflicts.
We use the same four step method that is taught in the Hesston Elementary School.
The first two steps are taught as soon as the child begins to speak. Preschool II and Pre-K children are taught all four steps.
1. STOP the conflict
2. SAY & LISTEN – tell each other how you feel
3. THINK – of ways to solve your differences
4. CHOOSE – a mutually acceptable solution
Nature
We feel it is vital to reconnect today’s children with the outside world.
“A Touch of the Prairie” garden welcomes families to our center at the entrance. Outside our multi-purpose room is our
“B Garden” for bugs, bees, butterflies, bunnies and birds. The toddlers have their own garden with vegetables and
flowers. The preschooler’s “Play Remembered” playground emphasizes old-fashioned natural materials.
All of our children spend many hours at the nearby Dyck Arboretum and on walks around the Hesston College campus.
Our goal is to be outside every day, weather permitting.
   
For info about our infant, toddler, and preschool programs click on the subtopic link
on the left side at the top. | 
Welcome
