~ Preschool Program ~

Progam Overview | Goals | Sample Schedule | Monthly Curriculum Themes

Program Overview____________________

The pre-schoolers are active and eager to choose activities available on shelves. The classrooms have areas for art expression, daily living skills (pouring, spooning, cleaning) sensorial development of visual discrimination of size, shape and colors, sound discrimination, language development and introduction to mathmatics.

While there is much intellectual stimulation, our emphasis is always on nurture of each child’s uniqueness.

Singing, signing, stories, music and movement are part of the pre-schoolers days. Frequent cooking projects are encouraged.

Social skills are developed as is the ongoing acquisition of verbal skills. Here as in our Toddler classes, great emphasis is placed on recognizing, accepting and respecting and appropriately expressing feelings.

The children enjoy serving their own snacks, setting their place at the table, scraping their plates and helping clean the classroom.

Friends are a great part of the children’s days. Outside play provides many opportunities for developing gross motor skills and for social interaction too.

We recognize the importance and priviledge we have in the loving nurture of these precious children. Hugs, smiles and love are a part of every child’s days.

There are 24 children and three Montessori directresses in the pre school class.

Pre-School Goals_____________________

Emotional Development

Our emotional goals for children enrolled in our Pre-School class are for each child to:

• acquire a sense of security and safety
• continue developing their unique personality
• develop feelings of adequacy, autonomy and independence
• develop self-confidence

Cognitive Development

To stimulate formation of the intellect by:

• allowing and encouraging creativity
• allowing children to learn from mistakes
• developing language (vocabulary, communication)
• encouraging critical thinking or problem solving skills,; the ability to move intentionally
• refining memory skills
• laying foundations for and introducing History, Reading, Math, Geography and Science concepts through concrete operations and experience
• encouraging cultural awareness
• establishing new skills and competencies
• encouraging mastery of the ability to concentrate and complete tasks

Social Development

For each child to:

• develop self-discipline/self-control
• acquire manners
• practice patience
• exercise respect for others
• gain knowledge of appropriate and specific pro-social behaviors
• demonstrate willingness to cooperate

Character Development Goals

The development of character is the “awakening of conscience”. Moral intelligence is developed by:

• encouraging perserverence
• demonstrating and encouraging care of our classroom and outdoor environment
• assisting in the formation of personality traits such as empathy, compassion, and honesty

Motor Skills Development

• refine balance and coordination
• stimulate and refine small motor skills (fingers and hand strength needed for writing)
• develop grace and control of movement
• allow for necessary outdoor play for strength, aerobic exercise and fresh air
• introduce rhythm and movement exercises

Preschool Sample Class Schedule_________________

6:30 Freeplay
7:30 Breakfast/freeplay work period for non-breakfast children
7:45 Breakfast is over/ wash hands/outside playtime
9:00 Transition inside/ grouptime
9:10 Dismiss the children to wash hands
9:25 Snack time is finished/
9:25 Diaper change and potty check/freeplay work time
10:15 Grouptime
10:25 Transition outside
10:50 Transition inside/grouptime
11:00 Dismiss the children to wash hands/lunchtime
11:20 Dismiss children to scrape their plates
11:20 Wash face and hands/potty check and diaper check
11:30 Naptime
1:15 Non-sleepers may get up
1:15 Potty or get diaper changed/ choose freeplay work
1:30 Naptime over
1:30 Finish diapers and potty checks/ children choose freeplay work
2:20 Grouptime
2:30 Transition outside/snack time
3:00 Transition inside/ grouptime/
3:00 Diaper change and potty check/hand washing /freeplay work time
4:10 Grouptime
4:15 Transition outside/snack
5:00 Transition inside/grouptime/ dismiss to wash hands/chooses work
6:00 Everyone goes home

Schedules subject to change according to the needs of the children.

Monthly Curriculum Themes___________________

JANUARY - DINOSAURS

FEBRUARY - OPPOSITES

MARCH - WILD ANIMALS

APRIL - WEATHER

MAY - FLOWERS AND INSECTS

JUNE - OCEAN LIFE

JULY - AMERICA

AUGUST - REPTILES

SEPTEMBER - ALL ABOUT ME

OCTOBER - FALL FUN

NOVEMBER - HARVEST

DECEMBER - WINTER