THE SUNFLOWER SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPHY
For all of our students:
The Sunflower School embodies a melding of methods and philosophies in Early Childhood Education. Here, you’ll find hints of Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emelia, and Nature-based curricula: interest-driven and child-directed learning, opportunities to build practical-living skills, a mixed-age classroom, plenty of art expression, opportunities to explore with natural materials, and large blocks of time set aside for uninterrupted play or “work” both indoors and out. You’ll also find positive and respectful guidance techniques in practice, inspired by the philosophies of experts like Janet Lansbury, Magda Gerber, and Maria Montessori.
Our program is rooted in an emergent and developmentally appropriate approach to learning. Lesson plans, themes, activities, and even the classroom environment are thoughtfully designed to reflect the interests and needs of each student. Instruction is tailored to meet children where they are developmentally, with a balance of whole-group, small-group, and individual learning experiences throughout the day.
Nature is a cherished pillar of our school model. Children are naturally inspired by their surroundings, and the outdoors is one of the most powerful teaching tools in early childhood. Our students spend extended time outside playing, exploring, and creating—rain or shine—allowing curiosity, confidence, and learning to grow naturally.
Children engage in rich, hands-on experiences that support learning across cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains. Our students explore the world through sensory play, gardening, cooking, woodworking, nature exploration, and field trips, which spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Daily outdoor movement, sports, obstacle courses, and bike rides, along with nutritious snacks and weekly mindfulness activities, further support healthy habits, physical development, and emotional growth, reflecting our commitment to nurturing the whole child.
For our youngest learners:
Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students begin their school journey by building foundational skills in literacy, math, and other academic areas through hands-on, integrated lessons thoughtfully designed by our highly qualified staff. We view the classroom environment as the "third teacher," intentionally arranging spaces with invitations to play and explore that spark curiosity and foster the skills children need to succeed as they grow. In these early years, play and child-led learning are central to our approach, reflected in the large blocks of choice time built into our daily schedule—both indoors and outdoors.
For our grade-schoolers:
As students transition into the grade-school years, we gradually introduce more traditional academic instruction. By combining our in-house science and nature-based curriculum with thoughtfully selected commercial curricula in math, literacy, and social studies, we ensure that students meet or exceed Texas grade-level academic expectations aligned with TEKS.
As students progress through our program, academics naturally gain more emphasis, but even our oldest students continue to have their own "choice time." Each academic block is thoughtfully balanced with periods of self-directed play, exploration, and creative activity. We believe this time is essential for older students as they develop their sense of self, strengthen friendships, and continue building strong interpersonal skills.