curiosity cottage:
aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS

curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS
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curiosity cottage:
aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS

curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS curiosity cottage: aN AT-HOME learning Pod for 3-5 YEAR OLDS

WELCOME

Hello! I'm Christina Harrington, a passionate educator with 7+ years of teaching experience. I began my career in education as a Kindergarten teacher at Crossroads Academy, an independent school located close to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Thereafter, I went on to open Grow & Balance, my own successful in-home toddler program located in Richmond, Virginia. After taking time away to raise my son, I am feeling called to re-open my doors as an in-home pod teacher. 


Christina Harrington

Director & Educator, Curiosity Cottage

Masters Level Elementary (K-6) Teacher

For more details on Christina's background, along with reviews from parents, click below.

More about christina

OUR Program

My learning pod will provide a safe, nurturing, research-based educational environment for children ages 3-5. I feel proud to be able to offer your child a personalized educational experience in my home for a learning pod of up to four children. 


For our classroom, the themes and concepts I will draw upon What a Preschooler Needs to Know (Core Knowledge), by E.d. Hirsh. As defined by E.D. Hirsh, Core Knowledge is a body of solid, shared, specific, and sequenced knowledge most essential for literacy in contemporary American society. Core Knowledge consists of key concepts in history, math, literacy, and science.


Together with my students, we'll explore the world through play; investigate new themed concepts; and unlock new social-emotional tools. As a former Kindergarten teacher I know your child will leave the Curiosity Cottage learning pod feeling confident and ready for the exciting next step of Kindergarten or first grade.

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Schedule

9:00 AM - Morning exploration and play

9:30 AM - Morning circle meeting

10:00 AM - Healthy morning snack (provided) accompanied by story

10:30 AM - Learning stations / "Project time" / 1-on-1 time

11:30 AM - Outdoor time

(12:00PM - Half-day students depart)

12:30 PM - Lunch time (packed from home)

1:30 PM - Indoor quiet time (e.g., puzzles, books, other calm activities)

2:30 PM - Movement & music time

3:00 PM - Reflection & goodbye meeting

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benefits of a learning pod

Low student:teacher ratio

Personalized learning experience

Personalized learning experience

We limit enrollment to four children. This allows greater focus on each child, and builds stronger bonds across the class. 

Personalized learning experience

Personalized learning experience

Personalized learning experience

In a small-group setting, I am able to understand your child's learning style and emotional needs very well, and can cater activities around this.

Greater flexibility for parents

Greater flexibility for parents

Greater flexibility for parents

Running late or need to shift drop off? 

Let's talk about how to make the pod stress-free for parents.

COVID-prepared

Greater flexibility for parents

Greater flexibility for parents

By limiting the number of students, and carefully following CDC guidelines, we are reducing the risk of exposure to COVID for children & their families.

TUITION

Curiosity Cottage opens its doors on September 8, 2020 and operates Monday to Friday. We offer families two formats:

Half-day pod

$60/ day / child

9am - 12pm

Full-day pod

$100/ day / child

9am - 3pm

Early drop off and extended day available upon request

Curriculum vitae: Christina Harrington

Professional Experience


Summer 2020- , Founder & Director 

Curiosity Cottage, Scituate, MA

2016-2020, At-home mom

Scituate, MA

  • I took time off to raise my son, Myles, at home, while continuing to hone my skills as an educator through 1-on-1 lessons with him and through ongoing readings and seminars.


2013-2016, Founder & Director

Grow and Balances School, Richmond, VA 

  • Role: Sole curriculum designer and educator of a boutique in-home school.
  • Class size and ages: 4 children aged 0-3 years. 
  • Approach: The child was the heart and center of the Grow and Balance approach, which focused on holding a deep interest in discovering, respecting, and nurturing the child’s innate talents and interests.
  • Curriculum: Individualized and driven by the interests of the child, and developmental needs. 
  • Relevant ideologies: Montessori 
  • Link (deprecated): https://mcmanuschristina.wixsite.com/growbalance


2011-2012, Kindergarten Teacher

Crossroads Academy, Lyme, NH

  • Role: Sole part-time Kindergarten teacher
  • Class size and ages: 1:12 student ratio ages ranging from 5 to 6 years. 
  • Approach: Day school committed to academic excellence and moral integrity.
  • Curriculum: E.D. Hirsch Core Knowledge 
  • Relevant ideologies: E.D. Hirsch Core Knowledge and Mary Beth Klee “Core Virtues”
  • Link: https://www.crossroadsacademy.org/ 


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Relevant Credentials


2012-2013, Student

Upper Valley Educators Institute, Lebanon, NH

  • Elementary Education Certificate 
  • 24 credits toward Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
  • Extensively researched collaborative exploration of the Reggio Emilia approach and Dr. Montesorri's theories, among others. 

2009-2010, Student

Boston Language Institute, Boston, MA

  • TEFL Certification
  • Taught English to Kindergarten students abroad in Sanxia, Taiwan for one year.

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What people are saying about Christina

“I knew right away when I met Christina that she was a caring, loving soul; but what I couldn’t foresee was the laughter and joy she would infuse into my daughters’ lives. Not only are the days at her house filled with fun endeavors, but Christina facilitates each activity with a sincere enthusiasm, that is reflected in my girl’s life at home.”


 - Ladak family, Grow & Balance family, 2016

“As a first-time mother of premature twins, I was very particular about who my children were in the care of. Christina immediately put my mind at ease and opened her heart to them. She was patient and understanding of each of their needs and created an environment that was safe to explore. I am grateful for my children’s time with her.”  


- Ninan family,  Grow & Balance family, 2016

"Christina is a natural teacher. Her gentle spirit and intelligence are a large part of her work. She has thoughtful responses to challenging student situations, is dedicated to her students, and is a reflective aware educator. One of Christina’s many strengths lie in her strong connection to her students. She holds a caring nurturing attitude towards all of her students. "


- L. Downs, Upper Valley Educators Institute, 2013 

Contact Us

Get in Touch!

To learn more about enrollment for Fall 2020, please reach out using the Contact Us form.

Curiosity Cottage

251 Stockbridge Road, Scituate, Massachusetts 02066, United States

Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

LEARn more: MY Teaching philosophy honors your child

Child-centric approach

Child-centric approach

Child-centric approach

The child remains at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I believe teaching begins with creating a connected environment, an environment where each child holds a unique relationship to me as their teacher as well as to one other. 


Respect for each child

Child-centric approach

Child-centric approach

Respect starts with taking the time to build a strong relationship with each student. I believe the art of relationship-building involves fostering a genuine interest in discovering, respecting, and nurturing each child’s innate talents and interests.

Thoughtful observation

Child-centric approach

Thoughtful observation

Observation is key to creating a child-specific learning plan. When observing children, I am always noting the child’s process during play, what materials and activities spark joy in each child, and how each child engages in play. 


Informed approach

Classroom environment

Thoughtful observation

My approach is informed by a wide range of early childhood pioneers, including Reggio Emilia, Maria Montessori, and other child-centric thinkers. My ongoing studies continue to broaden my view of the child, and for this reason I have an endless love of learning more about human development and early education. 


Classroom environment

Classroom environment

Classroom environment

The classroom environment is often referred to as the third teacher in Reggio Emilia and Montessori classrooms. The reason for this is that the classroom plays an instrumental role in discovering who the child is. It empowers the earliest of learners to create stories, explore their imaginations, sing, dance, build, tinker, and create! 


Time outdoors

Classroom environment

Classroom environment

The benefits of outdoor time in childhood are countless. When children are outside they are learning problem-solving skills, engaging in self-exploration, practicing decision making, and thinking creatively and with imagination. I am a large proponent of children having as much time as possible exercising their bodies and minds outside!  


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Made with love in Hingham, MA