INDIANTOWN, Fla. (CBS12) — Alma Farias wants her students to leave school each day excited to tell their families what they learned.

Farias teaches preschool in the Head Start program at Warfield Elementary School in Indiantown. She says four-year-olds are discovering who they are, becoming more independent and developing a love of learning.

“This is such a fun age,” Farias said. “They’re becoming independent, and they’re developing the love for learning.”

Farias describes her classroom as play-based. She plans activities and learning centers so students can have fun while building new skills.

“I want them to be able to walk into a center and not realize that they’re learning because they’re having so much fun,” she said.

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Her lessons also help students understand and express their emotions. Farias said children this age have “really big feelings,” and she wants them to know their feelings matter and their voices are heard.

Building trust is another part of her teaching. Farias said she works during the first month of school to form a connection with each student.

“I feel they learn best when they feel safe, when they feel loved, and they feel welcomed,” she said.

Farias said she enjoys hearing from parents whose children come home eager to talk about school. She hopes each student leaves with something they are proud to share.

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