All children at WMS participate in studio classes each week, including art, music, chess, library, and movement & drama. Our studio teachers are artists and professionals in their fields as well as being skilled early childhood educators.

Art

We consider every child at WMS to be a young artist, and use our studio art class time to explore different materials and methods such as painting, printmaking, clay sculpting, drawing, cardboard construction, collage, and more. Art is a key tool to help children develop their ability to pair language skills and fine motor skills with their imagination and creative expressions.

Every year, each classroom at WMS produces a special work for the WMS Small Works Art Show during which our school transforms into a playful gallery space with the help of outstanding parent volunteers.

Chess

Our school helped Chess At 3 founder Tyler Schwartz originate his unique children’s chess program to bring the profound benefits of chess and the effectiveness of learning through storytelling together in the classroom. The interactive chess studio time gives children the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, math, storytelling, and the rudimentary rules of chess.

Library

Both our Hudson and Duane Street Locations have a library, each designed with young book-lovers in mind and managed by our dedicated school librarian. Students visit the library regularly with their class, learning basic library skills such as requesting subject matter, sitting with a chosen book, and returning that book to the proper place with the help of the librarian. Library time allows children to revisit books they already love and explore new books and topics, and helps foster a lifelong love of reading from an early age.

Movement & Drama

Movement and Drama Studio is a space for children to explore movement and dramatic play. The studio teacher introduces music, props and other provocations for the children to experience movement as a form of expression and play. Stories told with puppets engage the children as partners in the telling. The children create their own imaginary worlds with set pieces, loose parts, costumes, masks, light and images from the magical overhead projector.

Music

Both of our music teachers are performing artists as well as early childhood educators. In the music studios, children learn confidence, and explore creativity through singing, playing instruments, rhythm, melody and harmony. Through improvisation, and group music making they explore the joy of creating a musical community where every student’s input is valued.Twice a year, parents are invited to join their child for Winter Sings and Spring Sings – a celebratory display of the musical skills students have learned in their music class.