It All Starts With...Small Lessons

At Park, big ideas often begin with small moments.

A child learning to take turns, a middle schooler navigating disagreement with a friend, a student discovering how to ask for help—each is a small lesson that adds up to something much larger.

These moments might not look extraordinary, but they’re where lifelong habits take root. A Pre-K child offering a classmate a tissue is building empathy. A first grader raising their hand instead of calling out is practicing self-control. A second grader choosing to include someone new at recess is developing social courage. A third grader reflecting on a mistake is growing resilience. A fifth grader who rewrites their story after peer feedback is learning perseverance. A seventh grader who speaks up in a class discussion despite feeling unsure is building confidence. Each step is a thread in the larger fabric of growth—academic, social, and emotional.

Teachers at Park design learning experiences that balance knowledge with empathy and curiosity. They intentionally create routines and environments where small lessons lead to big learning: understanding how to listen before speaking, how to persist through challenge, how to be kind even when frustrated, and how to celebrate someone else’s success with sincerity. Whether it’s a child learning to zip a coat independently, to disagree respectfully in a partner activity, or to own up to a hurtful comment and make amends, these moments are foundational. They help children build not just skills—but character.

These small lessons form the rhythm of our school days, and their power lies in their consistency. Over time, they become habits of mind—clarity, engagement, reflection, and care—that anchor our Portrait of a Graduate. When we talk about preparing children for the world beyond Park, we’re really talking about helping them practice these small lessons every day, until they become second nature.

It all starts with small lessons. The kinds that make big learning possible.

-- Tina Fox, Lower Division Head

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