Preschool Program

Overview

Our preschool program is designed to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten. A daily lesson plan is posted in the classroom for your review. We encourage our preschoolers to problem solve and be independent when appropriate. Our classroom is divided into different centers so that your child can explore a variety of opportunities for learning. We believe that much of what preschool children learn will come from active play.

Your preschooler’s day will consist of indoor playtime, outside playtime, teacher directed activities, naptime and mealtimes. We will cover skills and concepts with preschoolers, so they are well prepared for kindergarten. The following will be incorporated into our curriculum for preschool:

• Spanish
• Music Time
• Art Time
• Water and Sand Play
• Language and Literature
• Computer Time
• Gross Motor Activities

3 Year Old Curriculum

Listed below are skills and concepts that are age appropriate for three year olds, and they may be included in their daily activities.

Numbers	Recognize numbers 1-10 and simple counting of objects.
Colors	Recognize and name 8 basic colors: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, brown and black.
Shapes	Recognize and name 8 basic shapes: circle, square triangle, rectangle, oval, star, diamond and octagon.
Alphabet	Begin to recognize and name letters, and begin to recognize his/her own name.
Fine Motor Skills	Improve eye-hand coordination with finger plays, cutting, painting, molding, puzzles and more using a variety of materials.
Gross Motor Skills	Involve the children in directed physical activities: running, jumping, hopping, climbing, ball handling and more.
Language Arts	We work to develop speech, enunciation and letter recognition at this age. We also work on concepts such as same/opposite, likeness/difference, and more. We introduce the “est” concept (biggest, shortest, etc.). We work on manners and identification of specific body parts. We introduce the days of the week and months, and we discuss holidays.
Weather	We discuss the weather (wind, rain, snow, sun) and temperature and the relationship to clothing and activities. We also discuss animals and how they adapt to different weather.
Arts/Crafts	We allow creativity and exploration by encouraging crafts with a variety of materials.

4-5 Year Old Curriculum

Listed below are skills and concepts that are age appropriate for four year olds, and they may be included in their daily activities.

Numbers	Identify numbers 1-20 by grouping into sets, simple addition and subtraction and matching correct number to sets of objects.
Colors	Identify 10 basic colors: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, pink and white.
Shapes	Identify 8 basic shapes: circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, star, diamond and octagon through activities, games, puzzles and songs.
Alphabet	Recognize letters in the alphabet, begin to identify upper and lower case. Introduce phonics.
Fine Motor Skills	Master cutting with scissors, holding a pencil and crayon correctly, molding with play dough and clay, piecing puzzles together and tracing inside and outside of stencils.
Gross Motor Skills	Master running, jumping, hopping on one and two feet, climbing, skipping, ball handling and more.
Language Arts	We work on clear enunciation and speech. Work with upper and lower case letter recognition. Each child will work to write his/her own name clearly. We work on same/opposite, likeness/difference, and more. Work on “est” concepts (biggest, shortest, etc.). Reinforce manners and identification of specific body parts. Reinforce the days of the weeks and months, and we discuss holidays.
Weather	Discuss the weather (wind, rain, snow, sun) and temperature and the relationship to clothing and activities. We also discuss animals and how they adapt to different weather.
Arts/Crafts	Work in groups and individually on craft projects using a variety of materials.