Respect for the Group
At Gentle Dragon we highly value the group and the individual's contribution to the larger community. We encourage inclusive play, mutual responsibility, cooperation, and self respect as the building blocks for important first friendships outside children's family relationships. We encourage the kind of problem-solving that can keep the group safe, active, and cooperative. As parents and teachers we try to model healthy group interactions through the work we do together to keep the school running.

Respect for Self
Gentle Dragon recognizes and values the unique differences that make up each individual in its school and continually strives to foster respect for one's choice of play, dress, culture and ideas. We try to discover each of our special gifts or abilities and to build on these strengths in our hours spent at Gentle Dragon.

We believe it is important to promote self-esteem. We recognize each level of ability and we encourage and support individual successes. We try to foster an atmosphere of learning in which children feel free to make mistakes - the first crucial step in learning. At Gentle Dragon we pay attention to children's ideas. By doing so we instill a belief in each child that his or her ideas, thoughts and feelings have value.

School is a Place to Feel Safe
At Gentle Dragon we work together for a peaceful school. We learn to resolve conflicts and express our needs and feelings without hurting each other physically or emotionally. We value a kind, safe environment in which we learn to take the points of view of others and to think before we act or speak. A peaceful school is a non-violent school. We use words to resolve conflicts and demonstrate a respectful regard for friends, teacher, parent helpers, pets and materials.

Curiosity and Love of Learning
Gentle Dragon fosters a love of learning by supporting children's natural curiosity, perseverance, confidence and risk-taking in a safe environment. We value fun and the joy of discovery and we encourage a sense of humor.