Preschool Program (2.9 to 3 yrs)
To begin to read, and perform other academic tasks, children must first gather meaning from the world, and develop an awareness of concepts. Young children learn by firsthand sensory and sensory motor experiences – they must touch, taste, smell, hear and see. We teach by the experiences we make possible for the children; the equipment we supply them and by the interest and explanations through which we bring these experiences within the measure of their understanding.
We believe that small children learn best through active play and hands-on experiences during the preschool age years. Therefore, the 2.9 – 3 year old class primary learns through play based activities. Play base curriculum also allows children to learn through repetition and self-exploration that leads to concrete learning.
The children have free choice of various learning activities including: dramatic play, blocks, toys and games, reading library, music and movement, and water play activities. Center time is structured time.
There is carpet time, when all the children sit together for group time of finger plays, songs, calendar, movement to music, religion, etc.
The children will be introduced to the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes as well as basic prayers. Lessons will be centered around a theme.
Students also have outdoor play for the large muscle development of running, climbing, sliding, pedaling, swinging, etc.
Our program will promote the following developmental areas:
Gross Motor – includes outdoor/ indoor activities and games; large muscle movement, balance and coordination skill.
Fine Motor- includes small muscle manipulative activities, table toys, puzzles and Lego’s multi-sensory activities: art, play dough, painting, and writing tools.
Perceptual: includes eye-hand coordination, awareness of spatial relationships: up, down, next to, under etc.
Language – reading stories, making and writing books, telling stories, written and visual symbols. Verbalizing what the child is doing, naming colors, etc.
Cognitive – pre-classification activities: matching, sorting etc.
Social – carpet time, group activities, free choice, outdoor or indoor play
Emotional – self-concept, body awareness, going up, awareness of God’s love for them.