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			Early Program Movement… The philosophy of the Early Program movement curriculum is to nurture creative physical expression. The program begins by teaching an awareness of "self" and the body, and then moves outward into space and spatial relations. Classes are structured in a non-competitive way, so that everyone feels accepted and good about their movement skills. Movement classes meet twice per week for half an hour. Each class of 3-4 year olds is divided into half groups of oldest and youngest, although these groupings are flexible depending on the skill and maturity of the individual children. Classes are broken down into three sections: 1. The Warm-up: gross motor and developmental body skills are exercised. Each child picks his or her own movement, which everyone else then imitates. They explore moving fast and slow, spatial pathways, body shapes and body levels, and fast and slow movements. 2. The Main Lesson: An exercise is presented utilizing a visual image such as "animals," "balloons," or the four seasons. 3. Equipment Task: simple task is performed on special equipment, such as jumping on a trampoline, crawling through a tunnel, or jumping over a rope. In the spring, a Movement Assembly is held for parents and guests, demonstrating the skills the children have learned throughout the year. The shows are thematic and may focus on concepts like "The Four Seasons, ""The Circus," or "Endangered Animals." Movement in the Early Program lays the groundwork for athletics, as well as for musical and theatrical work during the elementary years. As raw energy is gradually harnessed by the children’s growing self-control, free-form dance and circle games evolve into staging and choreography. Coordination and concentration feed into sports activities. The exuberance of individual expression is deepened by the exercise of partnership and collaboration.