The Pre-Kindergarten program is designed for children who will turn 4 years old after October 1st. Level 2 of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence is intended to guide the planning of experiences and activities for children by offering a coherent progression of skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Physical well-being (Movement and Coordination),
- Social and Emotional Development,
- Establishing Work Habits,
- Language Development,
- Cognitive Development,
- (e.g., Mathematical Reasoning and Number Sense, Orientation in Time and Space, Scientific Reasoning and the Physical World, Music and the Visual Arts.)
Teachers include multiple enrichment activities in the classroom. Curriculum content can include weekly, seasonal and holiday theme units, family, pets, and whatever else is going on in a child’s world. Our program also follows the developmental guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the guidelines established by The Core Knowledge Foundation.
The Pre-Kindergarten class meets the individual needs of each child in the classroom. In this program children will have the opportunity to express their individual interests of learning. Children will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of their projects and classroom activities throughout the year. This process promotes critical thinking skills and is encouraged throughout the program. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in both Small and Large Group activities and learn through active, self-initiated exploration and interaction with concrete materials, adults, and other children. New experiences are provided daily to offer challenging opportunities for children to develop their independence and express their individuality. Teachers interact in ways to help structure the children’s activities by asking open-ended questions.
During Small Group the classroom environment is organized for children to make a selection among many hands-on learning tools that are related to what is being taught. Children can make their own choices, and are able to participate in more than one activity, time permitting. Journal writing is used for children to practice their writing strokes, names, numbers, and draw pictures and shapes daily. Science experiments and multimedia arts are also offered as a Small Group allowing children to explore the various supplies and materials and experiment with materials on their own. Books are available for daily use in the classroom.
Large Group activities include Calendar and Opening Exercises. Language development occurs through Circle discussion, Share Time, Finger-plays, Rhymes and Storytelling, and Singing. Circle time is an important part of the morning schedule. Listening skills are developed, behavior expectations are modeled, and participation is encouraged. Play centers such as blocks, construction toys, cars and trucks, animals of various shapes and types, woodworking equipment, dramatic play, housekeeping, water or rice and bean tables are all samples of Large Group activities.
Play is essential for all children’s healthy mental growth and development. Through play, children’s cognitive, language, literacy, social and emotional, physical, and creative development occurs. Play enables children to make sense of their own world and provides children the opportunity to meet and solve real problems in a natural setting. Outdoor play is essential for good health and promotes gross motor development and creative expression.
Positive guidance strategies are used to encourage expected behavior. Clear limits are set and redirecting children to a more acceptable activity are the strategies used in our program.
All children are assessed through direct observations, work samplings and portfolios so learning can be monitored. Individual needs are met. One approach may be appropriate for one child, and something entirely different for a second child.
Each child will have the opportunity to participate in a large variety of activities and subject materials daily. All program options will follow the same learning objectives; however the content will be adapted daily to offer new and exciting experiences every day. Teachers will use a variety of methods, strategies, and materials to help each child achieve their end goals.
Sample Prekindergarten Schedule
8:00-9:30 – Arrivals, Centers, Individual Teacher/Child Work time
