Daily Schedule

Each class will enjoy the following components.  The order and length of time varies between AM and PM classes.

• Crew time - music and movement, hello song, daily discussion

• Choice time - at least 60 minutes

• Story time/Read Aloud

• Snack time

• Circle time - social skills, learning concepts, Heggerty, Handwriting Without Tears

• Playground 

During Choice time, preschoolers choose the interest areas in the classroom where they want to play.  They freely move from area to area during this time.  Social skills come into practice as the preschoolers learn to wait for a turn at a favorite center or with materials; to ask a friend to play with them; and to work out conflicts that arise.  Here is a description of each of our centers and the skills we are working on at that center:

Sand and Water Table – Filled with sensory activities.  Children learn best by having hands-on experiences with materials.  At messy table we work on: explorative play; measurement; prepositions; fine motor skills; creativity; tactile exploration; hand-eye coordination; problem solving; social skill practice; comparing and contrasting; describing. 

Blocks - playing in this center helps children develop motor skills and learn about basic concepts of architecture and engineering.  Block center play also helps children learn to work with others and gives them creative design opportunities.  At block center we work on:  categorizing; comparing and contrasting; construction; cooperative play; creativity; hand-eye coordination; language development; patterning; planning and carrying through; problem solving; self-confidence; sequencing; size, shape and weight concepts; fine motor skills; social skill practice.

Library - theme and concept books for the kiddos to explore.  At library center we work on:  gaining interest in learning to read; simulating reading using memory and picture cues; enjoying literature; predicting what happens next; answering questions about a story;  developing vocabulary; developing letter and word recognition; learning new ideas and relating them to previous experiences; engaging in conversation; learning how to handle books; enjoyment of a quiet activity; opportunity for close contact and relationship development with one who can read; social skill practice.

Dramatic Play - children explore different roles and situations as they play with items and tools adults use in everyday life.  Role play also helps children learn about their community, their surrounding environment, their friends, and a variety of careers.  At dramatic play we work on:  body awareness; concrete to abstract play; cooperative play; creativity; self-help skills; group decision making; imitative skills; language development; problem solving; role play; social skill practice.

Toys and Games – Games provide time for children to learn to take turns, talk together, and learn to follow rules. Games and puzzles present many challenges to a child’s ability to concentrate and process information.  At puzzles and games we work on:  hand-eye coordination; classification; cognitive skills; cooperative play; planning and organization; self-expression; following game rules; patterning; problem solving; part-whole; fine motor skills; sorting; sequencing; spatial awareness; visual discrimination; social skill practice.

Art – materials for preschoolers to create with, either following a template to create a project or creating their own masterpiece.  At art center we work on:  carrying through; cognitive skills; creativity; exploring media; hand-eye coordination; language development; making choices; organizing; planning; self-expression; self-esteem; fine motor skills – cutting, holding and using crayons and markers; spatial awareness; social skill practice. Practice with the tools used in writing and drawing.  At writing center we work on:  acquaintance with symbols; creativity; visual discrimination; hand-eye coordination; fine motor skills; functional grasp; pre-writing strokes; making meaning with symbols; social skill practice.

Discovery – interest center that’s all about observing, questioning, and problem solving.  At discovery we work on:  awareness of the world; describing; experimenting; exploring; problem solving; observing; questioning; scientific method; classification; social skill practice.