NASH students aren’t the only ones going back to school this fall. Each semester, NASH welcomes a group of preschoolers to help seniors learn about child development and early education.

In a class run by Mrs. Kristy Loeffert, NASH seniors take on the role of daycare teacher and lead 36 preschoolers in a wide array of crafts, games, and other activities.  

Every Monday, students are assigned groups and a topic to teach the preschoolers. These seniors provide materials for their class lesson and then teach it to the children on a specific weekday. Seniors also design and create the class bulletin boards that change with the seasons or the topic that the kids are currently learning in class.

“For the little kids, our goal is to prepare them for Kindergarten at NA,” Loeffert said. “They learn their colors, letters, and numbers. We also do science experiments and go to the gym. We help them work on writing their names and cutting with scissors. They also learn to socialize with others.” 

The preschoolers are not the only ones learning, however. 

“For the seniors, they learn how to understand the needs of preschool aged children,” Loeffert added. “Many of them will be parents or aunts and uncles, so it is an important life skill in order to understand child development.”

Throughout the class, the preschoolers enjoy circle time, playtime, and time to work within their small groups. Another benefit of having seniors readily available is the ability to tailor personalized instruction to each child.

The impact on seniors taking the class is overwhelmingly positive.

“Working with the preschoolers during the school day is a great way to reduce stress from other difficult classes,” Sahashra Pinnoji, a student currently taking the course, commented.

Lyla Azanni, another student with a passion for working with children, described her motivation for choosing the class.

“I love knowing that I can make a positive impact on others every day,” she said.

Preschoolers and seniors alike can look forward to many exciting activities in the coming months. On Halloween, the class will enjoy a themed party and trick-or-treat to each classroom around the school. Students can also anticipate a field trip to the Kamin (formerly Carnegie) Science Center later this year.