Preschool Studies
Preschool Curriculum
It is our belief that children learn best from first-hand experimentation and manipulation of materials. A more thorough understanding of new information is achieved when young minds discover patterns and relationships on their own. Our classroom will have learning materials and games available for free use, individual exploration, and problem solving. In addition, children will be worked with individually, in small groups, and in large groups according to their specific needs and learning styles. Our Pre-K will be academically oriented, with the goal of giving our students an extensive introduction to letters and sounds, and progressing toward the recognition and reading of simple and common words. The children will be supported and encouraged to progress as quickly as their comfort level dictates. Numbers, counting and simple math manipulations will be experienced on a daily basis.
We believe in establishing good social habits at an early age. The children will be encouraged to respect, take responsibility for, accept and appreciate themselves, others, and their surroundings. Everyday interaction among the children will set the stage for various discussions and lessons that will be used to develop a strong sense of the group and each individual's part within it. We will frequently take the opportunity to explore any feelings or concerns that the children may have in order to raise awareness of the affects of their actions and the actions of others. Our goal is that the children will learn to act with empathy and consideration of others.
We feel that by working on the children's social skills, while developing their communication and literary skills, we can create an environment such that each child's first formal learning experience is positive and enjoyable.
Reading- Language Arts
Our Pre-K involves the students in numerous activities that focus on the alphabet. These range from initially learning recognition of the alphabet, progressing to beginning sounds, introducing beginning systematic phonics, and then learning to write the letters.
The students will be read to daily. The books will be used to stimulate conversations about issues that are important and relevant to the children. These conversations build comprehension skills and also provide a way for the children to verbalize their thoughts. We recognize that speaking and listening are necessary components of literacy, therefore, both informal conversations and group discussions will be encouraged “Show and Tell” is a component of our curriculum that will be used to further encourage language development, and will also give the children a chance to share some of their favorite things with their classmates.
Each week, a new letter will be introduced. Throughout the week, the majority of the activities, projects, crafts, etc. will be in some way connected to that same letter. This will ensure that learning the alphabet will be fun and exciting, rather than repetitive and tedious. This will also give the children various ways to remember what they learn. We will explore the sounds and meanings of many words that begin with that letter including names of places, objects, emotions, animals and any other relevant words. As each new letter is introduced, our pre-kindergardeners will have the opportunity to practice tracing and writing that letter. The proper method of holding the pencil will be taught, as well as the proper way of forming each letter (uppercase and lowercase). If young students are not carefully supervised at this age, they may develop poor habits that are very hard to correct when they get older.
Mathematics
Numbers will be a daily focus of activity At this level, the opportunities to incorporate math are infinite. The students will learn how to count using manipulatives and one-to-one correspondence. We will study the written numbers and practice writing them by tracing first.
In addition to numbers, our mathematics activities will include sorting, matching, and ordering objects. We will make comparisons between objects according to their sizes and shapes. The students will have practice with spatial relationships and geometric patterns using such objects as pattern blocks and puzzles. Large picture graphs will be introduced using familiar objects that the children can easily relate to. Shapes will also be an area of concentration, beginning with the most basic (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, etc.).
Music
The Pre-K students will learn to sing various songs. Our class will listen to all different kinds of music in order to stimulate aesthetic awareness. We will learn about individual instruments and the sounds that each make. Eventually the children will be able to identify musical instruments, and may even make their own hand made instruments.
Craft Projects and Art Education
Craft Projects and Art Education will be used as a means to learn the colors and foster manual dexterity. Major national holidays, unit themes, and the current 'letter of the week' lessons will involve special projects that involve drawing, coloring, painting, gluing, using scissors and various artistic techniques. Creativity will be encouraged and each child's effort will be applauded.
Science
At this age, children learn science best by first-hand experience. Our class will conduct many simple hands-on experiments in which the children can learn various aspects of science and life (such as: trial and error, cause and effect, predicting possible outcomes).
We will study a wide variety of scientific topics. Animals will be one of the main areas that we will focus on. Some of the groups that we plan to study are amphibians, birds, dinosaurs, farm animals, forest/woodland animals, insects and spiders, ocean creatures, pets, reptiles and zoo animals. Each month we will focus on a different group. Many activities will be based around the group we are studying that particular month. Reading books, creating art projects and practicing alphabet writing are among the many ways we will integrate the subject.
Other scientific subjects we will cover include climate, weather, seasons, health, nutrition and basic safety. We will stress upon important sub-topics and will frequently review them year-round. The students in Pre-K will learn healthful eating habits and the essentials of cleanliness. It is crucial that the children learn all about various safety issues. To ensure their safety, every child will learn their address and phone number. They will learn the significance of 911 and Police Officers, and also about strangers. Other important discussions we will have will teach the children about poison safety, water safety, fire safety, bicycle safety and car safety (especially buckling up).
Our Goals
Our goal is that our Pre-K students will become lifelong enthusiastic learners. We believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to be active and creative explorers who can test new ideas and think independent thoughts. Allowing the children to learn at their own pace helps them to be self-confident, inquisitive learners. We also strive to provide them with some basic academic tools as a foundation to make all future learning easier, enjoyable and successful.