Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
Bixby’s Transitional Kindergarten Program (TK) provides an instructional program targeted to the developmental stage for rising Kindergarteners.
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Benefits for Our Current Kindergartners
Transitional programs that combine kindergarten students with younger preschool students offer several benefits that enhance the learning and social development of all children. These programs create a dynamic, supportive environment where children of different ages and developmental stages interact, which fosters growth in various key areas:
Expanded Social Circles
Kindergarteners in transitional programs get the opportunity to interact with younger preschoolers, which expands their social circles. This interaction helps them develop better social skills, as they learn how to communicate, collaborate, and play with children of varying ages. It also encourages empathy as older children model positive behaviors for their younger peers.
Mixed-Age Group Benefits
Learning in a mixed-age group creates a more dynamic environment. Younger students often learn by observing and imitating the older children, while older students reinforce their own understanding by teaching or guiding younger peers. This helps to build a sense of community and allows children to learn at their own pace, whether they're the older or younger students in the mix.
Alignment with Mixed-Age Group Philosophy
Transitional Kindergarten’s approach of mixed-age classrooms aligns with Bixby’s philosophy that learning is most effective when children have opportunities to engage in diverse experiences. By supporting a continuum of learning across age groups, children benefit from a holistic educational environment that nurtures a variety of skills, from social and emotional to academic.
Leadership Opportunities
By working alongside younger children, kindergarteners have natural opportunities to take on leadership roles. They can assist with tasks, help explain activities, or model appropriate behaviors, which fosters a sense of responsibility and boosts their confidence. This leadership experience can help them develop skills that are crucial for later school years.
Diverse Learning Levels
Kindergarten classrooms are typically made up of children at various learning levels, with some students needing more support than others. A mixed-age program allows for differentiation in instruction, where children can engage in activities that challenge them at their current level. It also gives children the chance to find "mind matches"—peers with similar interests, skills, or developmental stages, promoting positive academic and social connections.
Bixby Kindergarten
Bixby’s self-contained kindergarten provides a cohesive learning community for introducing students to the fundamentals of academic learning while building on their play-based experience in preschool and advancing their capacity for responsible, self-directed learning in later grades. In these ways, the kindergarten plays an important transitional role in preparing children for the unique challenges and opportunities of the elementary program.
Social Emotional Learning
We focus on social emotional development as we build a community of learners.
Daily Movement and Play
Over 6 hours of movement and play every week including swimming 3 times each week in our on-site salt water pool and weekly walks to Bridgewalk Pond, a local wetland.
Customized Curriculum
Our trained faculty follow student's interests as they develop critical thinking and early academic skills. We present challenges that are "just right" for each child instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to learning.
Chef Prepared Meals
Our on-site Chef prepared scratch cooked meals. Faculty and students across grades eat together daily to practice community and build relationships.
Integrated Learning
Spanish exposure program led by our Spanish teacher. 1.5 hours of music each week.
Extended Care
Delivered by Bixby School staff in a loving and consistent environment. Flexible drop-in hours available between 7:15 am - 5:45 pm daily and also on many school breaks.