With 4 full time teachers and 20 children, this is the classroom for our oldest children. This is the year before kindergarten and children of this age are beginning to figure out friendships and begin to have stronger sense of who they are, what they want to do and how they will accomplish it. They play cooperatively most of the time, and of course run into many disagreements and problems. This is all part of learning but with practice, the Rainbows learn how to negotiate with each other to figure out how to take turns, to listen to others’ point of view, and come together as a team to create a block structure, get the marble to go down the right chutes, etc. Their dramatic play scenarios are much more detailed, bringing in elements of their lives as they create stores, go to work, and take on roles. Their art becomes more detailed as their fine motor skills develop, and most children will be interested in writing their name and others’ names. Exclusion and inclusion are areas on which they work throughout the year – teachers help children to include others while allowing children the freedom to choose with whom they wish to play or which activities to participate in. Creating a strong sense of community is important, and teachers work on creating this with the children at the beginning of the year, continuing throughout the year. At the same time, children of this age are learning that they can learn from other children and request help from other children. Finally, children of this age love to figure out their place in the world and want to know about so many things!