Preschool
The general philosophy behind our preschool program addresses kindergarten readiness. This is not a program of strict academics. It is a program in which we build children’s social, emotional, physical as well as intellectual being through well-planned activities, and by encouraging self-discovery.
Included in our program are experiences in language arts, social studies, science, math, art, dramatic play, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, music and creative movement. These activities are usually open-ended and related to the children’s own real life experiences.
Below is a list of some things that you will find in our classroom.
General Kindergarten Readiness Skills
| Cutting | Sequencing | Likes/differences |
| Classifying | Spatial awareness | Colors |
| Shapes | Alphabet | Name recognition |
| Counting | Self-expression | Responsibility |
| Listening | Thinking process | Attention span |
| Self-awareness | Self-concept | |
| Pasting | Sorting |
Specifically, we encourage reading through...
| Language arts | Emergent literacy | Labeling pictures/objects |
| Flannel board | Verbal stories | Story tapes |
| Stories / puppets | Search and find | Puzzles |
| Sequencing | Auditory discrimination |
Social studies is incorporated into reading by learning about other people, places, and occupations in their world through books, maps, and objects or pictures related to the books.
We encourage math through...
| Sequencing by size, shapes, pattern, etc. | Blocks | Games with dice or spinners |
| Counting aloud | Graphing | |
| Money | Shapes | |
| Puzzles | More or less | |
| Simple addition and subtraction |
We encourage science through...
Providing choices with equipment to discover:
| Magnifying glasses | Microscopes | Binoculars |
| Bug catchers/keepers | Magnets | Tweezers |
| Water | Soil | Animals |
| Asking questions | Predicting | Comparing |
| Observing | Generalizing | Evaluating |
We encourage creativity through...
| Child-directed activities | Implementing music | Prop boxes, costumes, etc. |
And providing materials such as:
| Tempera paints | Finger paints | Sand |
| Markers | Scissors | Crayons |
| Tissue paper | Water | Tape |
| Construction paper | Fabrics | Playdough |
| Goop | Shaving cream | Soap flakes |
We encourage social/emotional development through...
| Respecting other's feelings / belongings | Body language | Facial gestures |
| Expression | Sharing | Quiet times / active times |
| Verbal skills | Following directions and rules |
We encourage physical development through...
| Music and movement | Fine motor muscle coordination | Experimenting with new equipment |
| Eye-hand coordination | Balance | |
| Active games | Crossing center | |
| Coordination of large | Modes of locomotion |
| Time | Activity |
| 6:30-7:30 | Arrival / Breakfast / Self Discovery (Room 6) |
| 7:30-8:50 | Arrival / Breakfast / Self Discover (Room 1) |
| 8:50-9:00 | Clean up |
| 9:00-9:20 | Large Group Time |
| 9:20-9:30 | Planning Time |
| 9:30-10:30 | Work Time |
| 10:30-10:40 | Clean up |
| 10:40-11:00 | Small Group Time/Review |
| 11:00-12:00 | Outside (weather permitting) or indoor gross motor |
| 12:00-12:45 | Lunch |
| 12:45-1:30 | Brain Quest/Stories |
| 1:30-3:00 | Rest/Nap time |
| 3:00-4:20 | Plan/Work time |
| 4:20-4:30 | Clean up |
| 4:30-4:50 | Large Group.Review |
| 4:50-6:00 | Outside (weather permitting) or indoor gross motor |
Pre-school Sample Lesson Plan
| Week Of: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Interest Areas | Add Pipes to Block Area | Add Beauty/Barber props to Kitchen Area | Add Sound Bingo to Toys & Games | Add View Finders to Book Area | Add Sequence & Pom Poms to Art Area |
| Large Group | Bear Hunt | Exercise Cards | Who is in your family? | What are some things you do with your family? | What is special about your family? |
| Read Aloud | A Mother for Choco Just Grandma and Me My Monster Mama Loves Me So | Just Go To Bed I Don't Want to go to Bed Kevin and his Dad | The Little Lost Duckling Mama, Do you love me? Imagination Story | Where the Wild Things Are Up on Daddy's Shoulders Little Tiger's Big Surprise | I Love My Family Little Critters: The Picnic I Love You, Dad |
| Small Group | Matching colors | Cutting with scissors | What's Missing? | Building with Legos | ABC Flash |
| Outdoor Experiences | Blowing Bubbles |
| Family Partnerships | Bring in pictures of your family |
| Wow! Experiences | Putting up our family tree |
