Keystone Oaks Nursery School Enrolling for Spring Session [VIDEO]

The lessons learned in the Nursery School aren’t just for kids.

The nursery school—which is enrolling now—is part of the child development classes taught by Maria Dayka and led by high school students who aspire to become teachers themselves.

“It’s a way to test the waters to see if this is what they want to do,” Dayka said. “Quite a few do become teachers, but we’ve also had students go into other professions like nursing, where the training still helps.”

Morning and afternoon classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:50 to 11 a.m. and from 12:20 to 1:45 p.m. Dayka observes every class, but high school students mainly teach the lessons.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the high school students meet with Dayka to discuss weekly themes and make lesson plans. The alphabet, math and science lessons, art projects and games are part of weekly lessons.

Songs that incorporate letters, numbers and memory games—like the one featured in the above video—are popular lessons.

“There is a curriculum we follow,” Dayka said. “I try to give the high school students as much input into what and when we do certain lessons as possible because they’re learning to teach the class.”

Some children attend the nursery school as their sole preparation for kindergarten, Dayka said, while others attend both the nursery school and an additional outside program.

The nursery school is currently accepting applications for the 12-week spring session, which runs from Feb. 13 through May 23. Children who participate in the program will work with a high school student teacher on a one-to-one ratio.

To be eligible, children must be between the ages of 3-and-a-half and 5. The cost is $35 per child, which includes snacks and supplies. Children from all communities are welcome to enroll in the program but district residents will have first priority.

Applications and an information sheet for the program are available at Myrtle Elementary, , , , and the central administration office.

For more information, contact classroom instructor Maria Dayka at 412-571-6088 or dayka@kosd.org.