Mercer Island's only play-based co-operative preschool
Research clearly indicates that meaningful parent involvement in school is one of the most powerful predictors of successful student achievement. The cooperative preschool experience is truly a family experience in meeting, knowing, and trusting others in growing and learning together.
The Mercer Island Learning Lab offers a learning experience for both parents and children. By joining MILL, parents are participating in a parent education class sponsored by Bellevue College. Parents learn child development and guidance by working with the children in class, and in this way develop a better understanding of their own children.
Learn more on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
So what does a typical Learning Lab day look like? As a parent, you are well aware that little is typical in the day of a 3-5 year old! But to keep the class grounded in routine, there is a set of core activities that act as the foundation for each class―and those are outlined below. Additionally, throughout the year MILL holds special events and takes field trips to locations such as the pumpkin patch and local parks.
Learning Lab gives the children a complete sensory experience. Students have the chance to SEE, TOUCH, HEAR, TASTE, AND SMELL for themselves, in their own style.
After the kids trickle in, everyone gathers for some energizing songs and jumping around―plus an introduction to the day’s themes and special projects.
Every day the Learning Lab offers the following activities:
Each day Teacher Monica comes up with a project themed to coordinate with the daily book selections, the season, upcoming holidays, or even recent conversations.
Everyone brings their own snack to enjoy. The kids sit outside on mats on the lawn―under tents when it’s raining!―and they are free to eat leisurely as snack time leads right into outdoor play time.
The second half of class is spent outside in our semi-enclosed courtyard where we have:
MILL has amassed a fabulous library of children’s books over the past four decades and books are frequently read to individual or small groups of students during class. Additionally, to close out each day, everyone gathers to hear a curated selection of stories.
In addition to the wonderful parent volunteers that assist in the classroom every day, we have two fantastic educators that run the MILL program.
Monica has a Masters in Teaching in Elementary Education as well as a Bachelors in Architecture. She has taught in the Bellevue College Parent Ed Program's Toddlers class as well as the Discovery Science Lab Class. She loves working with young children and believes strongly in the importance of play in children's cognitive and social development.
Barb has worked with young children and their families since graduating with a BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Child and Family Studies
