100 Days of Wonder: How Play, Inquiry, and Growth Shape Kindergarten at Seven Peaks

Each February, a joyful milestone arrives in our kindergarten classrooms: the 100th day of school. Students proudly count collections of 100 objects, create colorful projects, and celebrate how much they have learned. It is a moment filled with excitement, pride, and plenty of smiles.

But at Seven Peaks, the 100th day represents something far deeper than a number. It marks a powerful transformation. In just a few short months, children have grown not only in academic skills, but also in confidence, independence, and their sense of belonging within a learning community.

This milestone offers a window into what makes a Seven Peaks education distinctive from the very beginning: learning driven by inquiry, relationships, and purposeful play.

Where Kindergarteners Are After 100 Days

By this point in the year, students have made remarkable progress in early literacy and mathematics. They are building phonemic awareness through storytelling and shared reading, experimenting with writing as a way to express ideas, and developing number sense through hands on exploration.

Most importantly, they are learning how to think.

Kindergarteners are asking questions, making predictions, and reflecting on their learning. They are beginning to see themselves as capable learners who can solve problems and communicate their ideas. These habits align directly with the IB Learner Profile, particularly as students grow as Inquirers, Communicators, and Risk Takers.

Rather than focusing on memorization alone, Seven Peaks classrooms emphasize conceptual understanding and curiosity. Students are encouraged to explore the “why” behind what they learn.


Building Social and Emotional Foundations

Equally significant is the social and emotional growth that unfolds during the first 100 days. Students learn how to navigate friendships, resolve conflicts, and express their feelings using shared language and strategies.

Families often notice this transformation at home as well. Children demonstrate greater independence, stronger communication skills, and an increasing ability to work collaboratively with peers.

These experiences help cultivate key traits of the IB Learner Profile, including being Caring and Principled, while also supporting the Portrait of a Graduate pillars of agency and self awareness.

As Kindergarten Teacher Kristen Brannan shares:

“Even after the first half of Kindergarten, we see students truly finding their voice. They come in unsure and curious, and by midyear they are confidently sharing ideas, solving problems together, and taking ownership of their learning. Watching that growth is one of the most meaningful parts of teaching Kindergarten.”

Play as Learning: The Heart of Early Childhood

At Seven Peaks, one of the most important ways children learn is through purposeful play.

Research consistently supports this approach. The National Association of Independent Schools notes that play based learning strengthens problem solving, language development, social skills, and creativity, while also supporting long term academic success. NAIS emphasizes that play allows children to construct knowledge through active exploration rather than passive instruction.

In kindergarten classrooms, play is not separate from learning. It is learning.

Students may be:

• Building structures to explore balance, measurement, and spatial reasoning
• Engaging in dramatic play that develops empathy and communication
• Investigating nature to practice observation and scientific thinking
• Collaborating on games that require negotiation and leadership

Teachers intentionally design environments that invite inquiry, experimentation, and reflection. Through these experiences, students develop the confidence to take risks and the resilience to persist through challenges.

What Makes Seven Peaks Kindergarten Different?

IB From the Very Beginning
From their earliest days, students are immersed in an IB framework that encourages them to ask questions, reflect on their thinking, and make connections across subjects. They begin to see themselves not just as learners, but as members of a global community.

A Whole Child Approach

Seven Peaks prioritizes balanced development. Academic growth is integrated with social emotional learning, outdoor education, and strong relationships. The natural environment of Central Oregon becomes an extension of the classroom, offering opportunities for exploration, observation, and hands on discovery.

A Strong Sense of Community

Equally important is the culture of belonging that defines Seven Peaks. Students build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers, while families partner closely with the school to support each child’s growth.

This sense of connection helps children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

Looking Ahead to the Next 100 Days

As the school year continues, kindergarteners will deepen their inquiry, strengthen their independence, and expand their leadership within the classroom community.

The 100th day serves as a reminder of how far they have already come. In a relatively short time, students have grown into confident thinkers, compassionate classmates, and enthusiastic learners.

At Seven Peaks, kindergarten is not simply about preparing students for first grade. It is about laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, curiosity, and community.

And after just 100 days, that foundation is already strong.