Pre-K Pioneers
Tuesdays, August 26 – September 30 | 9:30-11am | Registration opens July 1
This fall, imagination takes center stage with Pre-k Pioneers, Burritt on the Mountain’s brand-new early education series designed for one adult and one or more children who are four years old by August 26 and who will not be attending kindergarten this year.
Each week, children will explore the big idea of community—what it is, who helps build it, and how they can be helpers too. The 90-minute lessons are thoughtfully designed to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration while introducing concepts in history, engineering, environmental awareness, and social development. We want every participant to be actively involved, feel included, and have a meaningful hands-on experience each week. All activities align with Alabama State Standards and are developmentally appropriate for preschool-aged children. Students will also take home a craft or art project each week as a reflection of their learning and creativity.
Over the course of six weeks, we’ll meet modern and historic community helpers, become pioneers heading west to establish new communities, explore how rivers shaped settlements through boat-building experiments and hands-on investigations of sinking and floating, visit the barnyard to discover changes in farm life in rural communities, imagine future inventions, and finish with a Bluey-themed scavenger hunt and puppet theater focused on friendship, kindness, and treating others with respect.
This program encourages creativity, collaboration, and curiosity—so dress for mess and get ready to explore alongside other adventurous pre-k students!
Take advantage of our early-bird discount by purchasing all 6 weeks between July 1st and 31st.
Individual classes will be available starting August 1st, if space remains.
This class is exclusively for the enrolled child/children (ages4-5, not yet attending kindergarten) and their accompanying adult. Cooperation is appreciated in making separate arrangements for siblings.
The topics for the six weeks are:
Lesson 1 Title: Hats Off to Helpers!
Lesson Description: Discover what makes a community work as we explore different helpers—past and present—through interactive stories, creative crafts, and imaginative pretend play.
Date: August 26, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: August 19
Lesson 2 Title: Pioneer Play
Lesson Description: Step into pioneer shoes as we imagine life on the trail—building wagons, solving travel challenges, and discovering what it took to journey west.
Date: Sep 2, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: August 26
Lesson 3 Title: Water Explorers
Lesson Description: Investigate how water connects people and places as we explore rivers, test what floats and sinks, and discover why so many communities sprang up near streams.
Date: Sep 9, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: Sep 2
Lesson 4 Title: Back in time at the Barnyard
Lesson Description: Step into farm life past and present as we meet animals, explore textures, and build tools to discover how work and play on the farm have changed over time.
Date: Sep 16, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: Sep 9
Lesson 5 Title: Helpful Hands & Big Ideas
Lesson Description: Young inventors will dream up clever creations to help their communities, learning how imagination, problem-solving, and teamwork shape the world around us.
Date: Sep 23, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: Sep 16
Lesson 6 Title: Let’s Play Fair: A Bluey Adventure
Lesson Description: Join Bluey and friends in learning how rules help keep games—and communities—safe and fair through shadow puppet stories, teamwork, and imaginative play.
Date: Sep 30, 9:30-11:00
Deadline to register: Sep 23
Early Bird Rates:
Six weeks for 1 child and an accompanying adult
Members: $85 increases to $96 for 6 classes after July 31st
Non-members : $115 increases to $135 for 6 classes after July 31st
Additional child(ren) 4-5 years old, not yet attending Kindergarten
Member: $42 increases to $48 for 6 classes after July 31st
Non-members $54 increases to $66 for 6 classes after July 31st