AGES: Preschool ages 2–3
The Moonbeam room has 13-16 children with two full-time teachers and one full time assistant teacher. As in all classrooms, there is an emphasis on children learning through play, choosing from an array of planned experiences, and self-selection of activities that are always available (e.g., blocks, art, books and puzzles).
Children in the Moonbeam room are moving away from the toddler years and entering a period of development in which they are learning to apply their newly developing skills in managing their emotions and behavior, communicating effectively, self-help skills, and thinking and problem solving in a more complex social setting that is warm and welcoming. As the year progresses, there are more indication on long-term projects and ways to represent their work through art and literacy activities. Number skills are moving beyond rote counting to understanding what numbers represent, and science experiences emphasize the prompt to ask questions, make observations, and predict outcomes.
Objectives in the Moonbeam Room are to:
- Support Children in using their maturing social skills so that they can play interactively with peers.
- Facilitate children’s development through experiences that involve discovery, experimentation and problem-solving, in both the social and physical world.
- Increase children’s knowledge and understanding of the world outside themselves, including taking others’ perspectives, as well as expanding their concepts about the community in which they live.
- Follow the approach of inclusion and that each child is unique to their own individual learning experience and needs.
- Implement strategies from the Kindness Curriculum that support our children’s individual needs.
Moonbean Teachers
Sylvia Davidson
Position title: Teacher
My name is Sylvia Davidson I am a Teacher at WECP currently in the Moonbeam classroom. I graduated from UW Madison with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Minor in Special Education in 1989 from the Child and Family Studies Department. I have 22 years of teaching experience in Early Childhood Education. I have been a teacher at WECP for the past 12 years. I have experience in working in all the classrooms at WECP as I was a float teacher for many years.
I have been married to my husband, Andrew, for 22 years and have a 14-year-old daughter at home who is working on getting her Black Belt in karate and preparing for high school. In my spare time I enjoy reading,
Joan Mrkvicka
Position title: Teacher
Hi! My name is Joan Mrkvicka! I joined WECP in November of 2021. I am excited to join this team of professional and caring teachers. I have an animal science degree from Virginia Tech but have been in the early childhood field for over 30 years. I have had a licensed and accredited family childcare business in my home for 25 years, been a nanny, worked in multiple childcare centers and family childcare homes, and worked for WECA as a Relief Squad providing respite for many childcare programs. In my spare time I love being outdoors, riding my horse, training my dog, and volunteering at Badger Kennel Club where we provide fun events and training for dogs and their owners.
Garima Singh
Position title: Teacher
Hi! I am Garima Singh. I joined the WECP team in January 2021. I am so happy to be here. Currently, I am in The Star Room. Originally from India, I have completed three years of undergraduate study and integrated Bachelor and Master’s degree in Ancient History. I have also completed one additional year of undergraduate study in Education. I have been working with/teaching kids in many ways mostly as a volunteer. I am a Mom of two Kids, now in Grade 5 and 7 with a strong foundation of basic knowledge. I enjoy spending time relaxing with gardening, crafting, enjoy traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to contributing to the WECP community.