The Little Shiner's Clubhouse
A Year of Growing Hearts, Hands, and Habits in the Forest of Life
🌲 Program Overview At the Clubhouse, nestled deep in the woods of wonder and wisdom, our “Little Shiners” explore life through imaginative play, character-building, and everyday skills. We aren’t a traditional daycare—we’re a community where kids shine from the inside out. Curiosity fuels everything we do, guiding our learning and deepening each child's connection with the world around them. We believe these are key to helping your child prepare for life beyond preschool. And most importantly, every child belongs here. We foster a true sense of community, inclusion, and friendship, where everyone is welcome, valued, and celebrated
🧰 For Parents & Team Members This is a place where purposeful play and loving guidance help children become confident, compassionate, and capable. Our days are filled with intentional moments, clubhouse magic, and the quiet beauty of seeing kids shine in their own unique ways. Curiosity is our compass—guiding every discovery, question, and moment of growth in the forest of life. And from day one, every child is invited to be part of a warm, welcoming community where they belong and are deeply known.
🌿 Year-at-a-Glance: What We Learn in the Woods
1
Self and Home Life Skills
Taught around our pretend “cabin” and “camp kitchen” spaces:
● Dressing myself & keeping personal items tidy
● Cleaning up after meals & play
● Helping with simple chores (sweeping, folding, sorting)
● Learning routines and transitions with independence
● Practicing curiosity about how we care for our spaces and ourselves
2
🥖 Healthy Habits & Whole-Body Wellness
Explored in our “Healing Hollow” and “Garden Patch” areas:
● Choosing nutritious foods (play & real)
● Learning to care for our bodies: hygiene, rest, hydration
● Outdoor movement and mini nature hikes
● Mindful breathing & calm-down techniques
● Encouraging curiosity about how our bodies work and what helps them thrive
3
⛪ Spiritual Growth & Character Formation
Cultivated in our “Heart Grove” devotional nook
● Introducing the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.)
● Stories and scenarios that teach how to recognize and practice each one
● Simple prayers and blessings woven into routines
● Practicing gratitude, kindness, and empathy
● Fostering curiosity about the heart of God and the goodness around us
4
🗣 Social & Communication Skills
Modeled in our “Friendship Fire Circle”:
● Using our words: asking for help, saying no kindly, offering kindness
● Problem solving through guided conversation
● Group games that teach cooperation and turn-taking
● Role play & dramatic play for emotional expression
● Inviting curiosity about how others feel, think, and communicate
● Creating strong bonds and a welcoming environment where every child belongs
5
🌈 Imaginative Play & Creativity
Lived out daily in our forest-themed clubhouse zones:
● Dress-up & make-believe adventures (pirates, forest animals, tiny towns)
● Building & fort-making with natural and creative materials
● Storytelling with puppets, books, and oral games
● Arts and crafts that reflect seasonal changes and spiritual lessons
● Curiosity leads the way in how children explore, pretend, and express themselves
6
🌿 Gardening & Composting Year-Round
Tended in our “Green Thumb Grove” and Compost Corner:
● Planting, harvesting, and caring for a seasonal garden
● Learning the natural life cycle: seed to sprout to soil again
● Composting leftover scraps to nourish new growth
● Understanding our responsibility to care for creation
● Encouraging curiosity about how things grow, change, and renew
7
🎵 Music Appreciation
Echoing through our “Listening Lodge” and outdoor sound walks:
● Daily music listening and movement to a variety of genres: praise & worship, classical, jazz, folk, and world music
● Exposure to the sounds of nature and native peoples from around the world
● Using rhythm instruments, scarves, and body movement to explore tempo and emotion
● Encouraging curiosity about sounds, instruments, and cultures near and far
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🗓 Seasonal Themes & Rhythms
Each month we focus on a theme that connects life skills, spiritual growth, and nature’s rhythms:
● August: Welcome to the Clubhouse! (Routines & Friendship)
● September: Helping Hands (Chores, Service, and the Fruit of Kindness)
● October: Brave Explorers (Emotional Safety, Courage, Peace)
● November: Gratitude Gathering (Thankfulness & Sharing)
● December: Cozy & Kind (Joy, Gentleness, Winter Traditions)
● January: Healthy Habits (New Year, New Growth)
● February: Hearts That Shine (Love & Friendship)
● March: Springing Into Responsibility (Taking Care of Our Things & Ourselves)
● April: Growing in Patience (Gardening, Waiting, and Wonder) ● May: Celebration of Growth (All the Fruit We've Grown!)