Mrs. Smith's Class - GA Pre-K Program

Goals of Georgia’s Pre-K Program

Georgia’s Pre-K Program provides appropriate activities and learning experiences that help prepare young children for school. For a child to be school ready, it means they are socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively prepared for success in kindergarten. Georgia’s Pre-K Program helps children become independent, self-confident, enthusiastic learners. Participation in the program encourages children to develop good habits and daily routines. Georgia’s Pre-K Program encourages teachers to adopt child-centered instructional practices based on the interests and the skill levels of each child. Research shows that children benefit most when instruction is child-centered. Child-centered instruction allows teachers to facilitate learning in a rich environment that fosters children’s initiative, exploration, and collaborative interaction with other children and adults.

Classroom Settings, Learning Areas, Teaching Methods

Pre-K Classrooms have learning areas or “centers” set-up in the classroom, and each center is supplied with books, materials, and learning activities. Learning centers in a Pre-K classroom include math, blocks, reading, art, science, dramatic play, writing, and music. The learning centers are designed to promote various developmental skills in seven areas: Language and Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Creative, Physical and Health, Social Emotional, Approaches to Play, and Learning. The Pre-K classroom accommodates individual, small, and large group instruction. The Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) provide the basis for instruction in the Pre-K classroom. You can find a copy of the GELDS on the website, www.gelds.decal.ga.gov. Teachers interact with children and move about the classroom to facilitate learning experiences. You can find a copy of the daily schedule posted in the classroom, on the teacher's website, or in your child's blue folder. The Pre-K schedule allows for daily story times, outside time, rest time, instruction in the learning centers, and in large and small groups.