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Play provides the foundation for academic learning in our classes, because children learn best by doing what they love most. As one of our preschoolers puts it, "If it's not fun, I don't want to know about it." Much of what the children in our program learn is hidden in the activities and choices that abound in the preschool, whether it's math at the sensory table, the phonemic awareness while rhyming at circle time, or architecture building villages in the sand box.
As Diane Trister Dodge in "A Parent's Guide to Preschool (quoted liberally below as well) puts it, "Learning isn't just repeating what someone else says; it requires active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work and to learn first hand about themselves and the world."
Goals
The goal of our curriculum is to help children become enthusiastic learners. This means encouraging them to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their own ideas and to think their own thoughts. Our goal is to help them become independent, self-confident, inquisitive learners. We teach them how to learn, not just in preschool, but all through their lives. We allow them to learn at their own pace and in the ways that are best for them. We give them good habits and attitudes, particularly a positive sense of themselves, which will make a difference throughout their lives. Our goals are in all areas of development:
Social: To help children feel comfortable in school, trust their environment, make friends, and learn what it means to be a cooperative, contributing member of a community.
Emotional: To help children experience pride and self-confidence, do problem solving, develop independence and self-control, and have a positive attitude towards life.
Cognitive: To help children become confident learners by letting them try out their own ideas and experience success, and by helping them acquire learning skills such as the ability to solve problems, ask questions, and use words to describe their ideas, observations, and feelings.
Language: To promote good communication by encouraging children's natural conversation and listening skills. Children are guided to understand how symbols and print work in their daily lives so that when they are ready they can begin reading and writing for a purpose.
Physical: To help children increase their large and small muscle skills and feel confident about what their bodies can do.
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We offer 4 different classes based on the child's age by August 31st of the coming school year.
Toddler Class - Ages 1/2
Thursday 11:30-1:15 p.m.
This class offers a stimulating preschool environment that includes large & small motor activities, music & movement, and creative sensory experiences. There is also a year-end field trip.
Daily Schedule:
Free Choice and Parent Discussion
Snack
Circle Time
Outdoor Play and Goodbye
2/3's Class
Thursday and Friday 9:15-11:00 a.m.
Two and three year olds learn through experiences including art, dramatic play, large & small motor activities, sensory experimentation, and music/movement. There are about 6 excursions each year.
Social-emotional development is a cornerstone of the curriculum as adults working in the classroom help children learn about themselves and getting along with others. Children may practice independence by attending one day a week without a parent.
Daily Schedule:
Free choice including snack
Circle Time
Outdoor Play/Parent Discussion
Goodbye
3/4's Class
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00-11:30 a.m.
In addition to many self-directed free-play choices, the 3/4's class introduces very basic math skills. The children have monthly excursions and curriculum and art projects designed for this age group.
Daily Schedule:
Math Centers
Circle Time
Free Choice and Snack
2nd Circle Time
Outdoor Play/Parent Discussion
Goodbye
Pre-K Class - Ages 4/5
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 12:00-2:30 p.m.
This class offers an opportunity for four/five year olds to be creative while they stretch themselves in cognitive and pre-academic challenges. The 2nd Step Empathy Training and Emotions Curriculum is introduced to this age group. The children have monthly excursions and curriculum and art projects designed for this age group.
Daily Schedule:
Math Centers
Circle Time with jobs for children on a rotating basis
Outdoor Play / Parent Discussion
Free Choice including Writing Center and Snack
2nd Circle Time and Goodbye
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