Preschool Class
The Preschool Class is a perfect first or second “away from home” experience for your little one. Expectations of these younger students are based upon the general maturity of the group. The Preschool Class teachers focus on acclimating children to the new routines and challenges that being away from parents may pose for a longer period of time in the beginning of the year. The experiences offered in this group are simple and easily followed by children 2 years 9 months through 4 years of age. So, if you were to walk into the classroom and look at some of things the children accomplish, the differences between what each child learns from their experiences is based upon each child’s ability. If a child is just beginning to recognize colors, an activity will accomplish that for that child. If a child is recognizing letters and words, there will be an activity that will accomplish that as well. Children also especially enjoy learning from and helping their peers in mixed aged groupings such as this.
Classroom Philosophy
- Preschool Class teachers begin the school year by helping their young students learn how to say goodbye and feel safe when separating from their parent/caregiver in the morning.
- Preschool students are nurtured, supported, and encouraged throughout the school year as they learn various self-help skills, social skills, and how to follow classroom routines.
- Caring and experienced teachers aim to foster independence through warm and encouraging direction, while serving as facilitators of the learning process.
- There is an integrated, process-oriented, and thematic approach to curriculum. Open-ended language, math, science, art, sensory, and other learning activities are provided for the children to explore throughout the day.
- Children’s literature, story-telling, and music are incorporated daily during group times.
- There is a careful balance of individual, small group, and large group activities throughout the day that fosters social skills and confidence in the classroom setting.
- Work and play independently as well as cooperatively with others, while following classroom rules and routines.
- Have the necessary social skills and ability to get along with others in a cooperative learning environment where children learn from teachers and from one another.
- Ability to attend to and focus on what someone else is saying; both teachers and peers.
- Learn to participate in structured classroom situations such as group time, group activities, and story reading.
- We especially desire to foster a love of learning that will help our students succeed as they grow!