The Program Curriculum

The class time is structured to provide for a variety of experiences from which the child can grow emotionally, socially, intellectually, physically and spiritually. The teachers will describe the daily schedule to you in detail in the Fall. Each child brings with him/her unique skills, personalities and needs. We love each child for all that he/she is and also for the areas in which he/she most needs our help. Children's best interests deserve a close partnership between parents and teacher.

The curriculum is organized around units of study. This helps the child focus on a subject or concept. Room decorations, art projects, music, finger plays, stories, conversations etc. are organized for the unit to enhance learning. The list of units, on the following pages, indicate the subjects generally presented. Because of the school schedule dates and holidays falling at different times, some of the units may not be presented.

You will receive a newsletter from the teacher each month describing the month's units, events and field trips (2's - 5's classes). Please read it carefully, save it, and post dates on your calendar. Each class has a bulletin board outside the classroom. Information and sign-up sheets will be posted.

It is necessary for parents to drive on field trips to transport children and teachers. If an insufficient number of parents sign up, the trip will be canceled. Please check the board for your child's class regularly.

**NOTE: Each teacher will go over her classroom routine, class schedule and overview of units during our Parents' Night early in the Fall. (dates and time to follow)

Classroom objectives

Young Toddler Room objectives:

In the early months and years, infants experience their surroundings by using their senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and feeling), by moving around the room, and through playing with others. For non-mobile children, objects are brought to them for observation. Songs are sung to them while rocking or walking around their surroundings. Mobile children can move to play with objects and show some interest in things and others. A positive and warm environment coupled with trusting adults leads to a secure and confident experience for the children and parents. With this kind of love, the children will begin to build a healthy self-esteem. Imitation, repeated play/actions with toys or materials, songs and plenty of books read to the children will be our main focus with these age groups.

Toddler room objectives:

The period from 12 months - two years old is fast paced. In the toddler room, the activities are kept simple. They will be exposed to many different sights, sounds, and textures. A creative and positive environment is top priority. The toddler class will be exposed to numbers, letters, colors and concepts in a way a one year old can grasp. Each day we will count and look at numbers, look at the alphabet, consider the weather, learn colors/shapes and some forms of conceptual learning (in/out, off/on etc.)

Two year old objectives:

The philosophy and emphasis of the two year old program is first and foremost the encouragement of positive self concepts. This includes the encouragement of creativity (blocks, dramatic play, story time, listening and writing, sharing ideas, free art), altruism (modeling each other and teachers), language development (songs, stories, listening, sharing, one to one experiences, finger play, games) and pro-social behavior (emphasis on communications, sharing feelings, tolerance of others). Also, this includes the development of self-esteem (physical contact, eye contact, confidence, self worth, pride in accomplishments such as art work, projects, free play etc.).

The basis of what the children do, how they learn and what they learn, is through play. Play is children's work and is the most significant way in which the child learns. Through play, the two year old will:

• Discover self
• Learn to cope with new situations
• Learn to get along with others
• Explore and experiment
• Learn to focus attention
• Develop concepts
• Test ideas
• Learn about the world
• Learn about society's expectations

Two year olds will begin to recognize sizes, colors, shapes, and his/her name. They will also be able to take directions, focus attention, develop listening skills, cut with scissors, and work with glue.

Three year old objectives:

The objectives for threes are many. They cover emotional, social, intellectual and physical development.

• Emotional Development
1. exhibiting self control and self confidence
2. developing independence
3. developing inner resources that enable one to enjoy time spent alone
4. having fun and being happy

• Social Development
1. sharing and taking turns
2. leadership abilities
3. being cooperative
4. the ability to make friends
5. learning and following rules to organized games
6. developing a sense of humor
7. willingness to try new things
8. using appropriate table and social manners
9. playing and working happily in an environment where limits are set
10. engaging in dramatic play
11. using time constructively

• Intellectual Development
1. expressive and receptive language
2. problem solving skills
3. conceptual skills - colors, shapes, counting order, sizes sequencing, likenesses and differences, recognizing own name, a beginning understanding of letters and their sounds, etc.
4. sitting quietly at rug time, listening for directions and information
5. lengthening of attention span
6. using age appropriate manipulatives with ease
7. attending to tasks
8. willingness to work and working with accuracy
9. taking care of/using materials and equipment appropiately
10. learning and singing songs
11. enjoyment of art media

• Physical Development
1. climbing, hanging, running, jumping, and pumping a swing
2. balance, agility and strength
3. pencil and crayon grip and control
4. cutting on lines with scissors
5. dressing self
6. stamina and the ability to relax
7. practicing good health habits/hygeine

These are by no means all of the objectives, general or specific. Hopefully this will be of help to you as you evaluate your child's experience with us. If some of the objectives sound "heavy", please be assured that all of this growing will take place in an atmosphere of love and happy experiences. We strive for successes, as we build good self esteem . . . this is what we are about. A child who develops a positive self concept will be a happy, constructive adult.

The vehicles used to reach the goals and objectives are units of study. They are useful tools with which all parts of each session are pulled together. They also help to widen children's understanding of the world around them. You will receive a list of these units during our Parents' Night in the Fall. (details to follow)

Four/Five year old objectives:

The Four Year old class is designed to build on previous preschool and other learning experiences and to prepare the child for kindergarten, hopefully, the following Fall. Our basic goal is to have an atmosphere of caring and sharing among class members and teachers. Four year olds are very peer-conscious and anxious to make friendships. We aim for happy days while learning together.

Each child shows us many sides to his/her personality. To more easily understand these areas of his/her makeup, let's look at the following categories:
• Emotional Development
1. We try to encourage a positive accepting attitude in the children.
2. Self control and independence are developed with a positive approach.
3. Developing a feeling of security and positive self confidence will be a goal.
• Social Development
1. Playing and sharing well and learning to respect the rights of others is the basic goal.
2. Fours will be encouraged to share responsibilities and follow adult supervision without resentment.
3. We hope all will be accepted within the group and allowed to be both leaders and followers.
• Intellectual Development
1. Fours are encouraged to listen attentively and speak clearly.
2. Attention spans are lengthened, vocabularies expanded and originality encouraged.
3. Conceptual skills such as recognizing colors, shapes, sizes, likenesses and differences, alphabet letters, numbers and working from left to right are taught.
4. Children are encouraged to recognize and eventually print their own name.
• Physical Development
1. Active play will encourage use of large muscles in running, climbing, skipping, jumping, catching, bouncing, and throwing a ball, pumping swings, and riding toys.
2. Quiet activities will encourage use of small muscles in proper grip of pencil or crayon, cutting on a line with scissors, gluing and printing neatly.
3. Fours are expected to dress themselves.