Pre-K’s mission is to offer an environment which encourages intellectual, social and physical development, while providing children a very safe and supportive environment in which to learn, discover and grow. Our goal is to nurture students’ natural love of learning (through art, constructive play, exploration, music, outdoor play), and encourage them to be confident, responsible and kind individuals. Our program is designed not only to prepare your child for kindergarten, but also for how to navigate life.

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Intellectual

 

Our Pre-K curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning that children can use as they transition to kindergarten. Our goal is to create and solidify the important building blocks necessary to succeed in school.

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Each classroom provides a series of “learning centers” that are designed to not only instill positive approaches to learning (e.g., curiosity, focus, information-seeking, initiative, risk-taking, flexibility, effort, imagination, invention, resilience, etc.) but also develop social/emotional skills and prepare them for kindergarten (e.g., language literacy, science, math, the arts).

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Such learning centers in each classroom include:

• Discovery Center

• Block & Building Center

• Pre-writing Center

• Library Center

• Listening Center

• Art Center (teacher-led activities such as painting, drawing, cutting &                                                                                         gluing as well as independent use of art materials)

• Dramatic Play Center

• Music and Movement Center

• Garden Center

 

On a daily basis, and through these “centers”, students are exposed to letters, numbers, the concept of counting, sequencing, shapes, sorting pre-reading, and pre-writing activities. For instance:

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Letters: We have a “letter of the week” activity where each letter of the alphabet is highlighted and reinforced through books, writing, songs, art and activities (e.g., sensory tables).

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Counting/Sorting/Sequencing: We have age-appropriate items and tools in the classroom that are specifically designed to foster an understanding of numbers, counting, sorting, patterning and sequencing.

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Circle Time: In Pre-K, a primary focus of circle time is to not only develop pre-reading skills, but to be able to 1.sit without distracting others but while 2. still participating in important learning experiences such as interacting with others, sharing, reading comprehension and predicting the outcomes or emotions associated with a story.

 

Social-Emotional

 

A primary focus of Pre-K is on teaching and reinforcing basic and important social skills, such as taking turns, sharing, learning to cooperate in a group setting, expressing empathy and being a good friend. We support children’s emotional development with activities that build confidence in their growing abilities, promoting self-esteem and independence.

 

A primary goal for Pre-K teachers is to help your child develop independence and self-help skills. For instance, your child will be encouraged to walk to class on their own (not carried), carry and drop off their lunch in their own cubby. At the end of the day, children will be encouraged to pack up their own items (lunch box, jacket, etc.). They will also be encouraged to put on their own jacket (and zip it up themselves) and pull up and/or button/zip their own pants. These self-help skills are all important for preparing them for kindergarten.

 

Physical Development

 

Children are encouraged to be children!

 

For gross motor skill development, we offer an array of well-designed, age-appropriate and safe sensory tables, play structures and equipment. Our Pre-K play yard offers climbing structures, slides, swings, a basketball hoop, lawn area, large sandbox and tricycle track. 

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To aid in fine motor skill development, the “learning centers” offer age-appropriate tools, manipulatives and activities designed to also assist with fine motor skill development which is so important at this age.

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