EARLY LEARNING
OUR APPROACH
At Galloway, we nurture a lifelong love of learning by engaging students in hands-on, experiential opportunities that spark curiosity and creativity. Our approach focuses on the learning process, not just the outcome, encouraging students to explore, ask questions, and solve real-world problems through play, collaboration, and innovation.
By developing critical thinking and a fearless mindset, students gain the confidence to embrace challenges and the skills to succeed beyond the classroom. At the heart of it all is our belief in the unique, unrepeatable talent of every child.
Our Curriculum
BEYOND ACADEMICS
Specials and Fine Arts
In Early Learning
Learning for our youngest community members is a holistic experience, providing opportunities for students to express themselves, discover new passions, and broaden horizons. Beyond their primary classroom, students rotate between specials and Fine Arts offerings that enhance their learning in SEL, Maker Studio, and Kinetic Wellness.
Fine Arts is another vital part of each Early Learning student’s day, with all students engaging in Performing Arts, Music, and Visual Art as part of the curriculum. Younger students share their work through informal ArtsLabs that highlight the creative process, while third and fourth graders culminate their experience with Spring Fling – a choreographed showcase of song, dance, and visual art.
Kinetic Wellness
The Early Learning Kinetic Wellness curriculum fosters physical and mental wellness through foundational movement, anatomy, and athletic skills while building social-emotional growth and embodying the core values of a Galloway Scot: sportsmanship, dedication, encouragement, integrity, teamwork, and joy.
Maker Studio
Galloway’s Maker Studio is where students invent, tinker, and create. Using the Engineering Design Process, they take on hands-on projects that spark imagination and build skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. From coding robots and 3D printing to designing games with sensors and circuitry, students explore, prototype, and build, turning ideas into action and learning into doing.
Social Emotional Learning
SEL is an important part of Early Learning. Our curriculum nurtures empathy, collaboration, self-confidence, and community awareness through communication, problem-solving, and personal safety skills, using engaging methods like role-play, art, games, literature, and group discussion.
Music
Music is a tool for teaching a variety of concepts, making historical and cultural connections, and developing the simple joy of listening and making music together. Students develop singing skills, play instruments, create their own arrangements, and learn musical concepts including melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and musical expression. Students share what they have learned through formal and informal performances throughout the year.
Performing Arts
Through dramatic play, storytelling, improvisation, and movement, students build imagination, confidence, and collaboration. Each unit focuses on a core element of the performing arts and culminates in a chance to demonstrate learning. Year by year, students deepen their skills, grow more comfortable on stage, and develop a lasting love for the arts.
Visual Arts
In a child-focused art studio, Early Learning art invites students to explore their imagination with different art mediums and techniques. In the younger grades, students learn through process play art, focusing on the process rather than the final product. Project-based art begins as children move through EL where students learn about diverse artists, styles, and begin to develop their voice in the art world with critiques. Students are given time each class for a choice-based art, where they have all the materials at their disposal to create and add to their body of work.
Spanish
Our Spanish curriculum helps students develop an ear for the language and build a foundation of high-frequency words and phrases for real communication. As proficiency grows, students progress from listening and understanding to speaking, reading, and writing. Using story-based learning, students hear, read, write, and retell stories with teacher support, building confidence and comprehension. Lessons often connect to classroom themes and explore the people, customs, and traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures.
Library
Sims Library is the heart of Early Learning, a joyful space where literacy comes to life. With nearly 12,000 books, students explore reading, writing, speaking, and storytelling through hands-on, meaningful experiences. They build independence by choosing their own books and develop key skills in communication, creativity, and responsible technology use. Author visits and special guests help connect learning to the world beyond the classroom.
