In addition to having lots of opportunity for free play, students engage in a fun and creative interdisciplinary curriculum. Students experience a stimulating program that utilizes all of the senses, giving them the opportunity to see, hear, feel, taste and touch. 

Skills for daily living

Children learn to get dressed, put on their coats, hats, gloves, socks and shoes, button, zip, snap and more. They learn to open their own food containers and to do many other things for themselves. 

Emotional and Social Skills

Teachers offer listening ears, words of encouragement and hugs. Old First has a consistent schedule and clear guidelines in place in the classroom that foster healthy bonds and lasting friendships. We work on waiting, taking turns, sharing, explaining our feelings, listening to others and resolving conflict.

Physical Skills

We promote the growth of fine motor and gross motor skills by providing the chance for play in a safe environment. Students run, climb, peddle, swing, pinch clay, pick up beads and participate in many other activities that promote their physical development. 

Specials

Throughout the year, OFNS hosts specialist teachers whose areas of expertise complement the daily activities in our classroom.  They typically visit once per week over the course of an eight-week session. Over the past few years, we have had specialty instruction in:

• Yoga

• Capoeira

• Dance

• Music with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

• Tumbling with LAVA acrobatic troupe

• Chick-hatching with Quiver Farms

Field Trips

Our students go on field trips to explore our neighborhood and cultural institutions in our city.  Examples of recent field trips are:

• Visiting our neighborhood fire station

• Seeing how bagels are made at La Bagel Delight

• Exploring the Discovery Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

• Enjoying a puppet show at Puppetworks

• Learning about tidal ecosystems at Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Visiting the Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo

Family Shares

"Family Shares" provide an opportunity for parents or grandparents to come into the classroom and share a story or lesson with the children. The teachers are enthusiastic about helping families to implement their ideas. Recent family shares have included:

• Creating self-portraits with a parent who is a professional artist

• Reading stories

• Sharing family photos and discussing what the children like to do with their families

• Presenting a Mardi Gras party

• Craft projects

• Cooking vegetable soup

• Playing guitar

• Filming interviews of each child answering questions about their ideas.