Early Childhood: Pre K3 and Pre K4
Pre Kindergarten Program
The main objective of our Pre-Kindergarten program is to continue to provide the children with skills that will benefit them throughout their schooling. Our philosophy in achieving this goal is LEARN to EXPLORE and EXPLORE to LEARN.
We continue to try to make our structured setting a nurturing and loving place for the children while they are away from home from the welcome at 8:20 in the morning through 2:20 in the afternoon for dismissal.
While in school, the children slowly learn to be away from their parents. Parents leave as the children say, “See you later.” Parents need to reassure their children that they will see them later, always being honest in telling the children who will be picking them up from school.
The classroom is set up with CENTERS where, on a daily basis, the children get to make choices or are guided to make good choices. Vital in the development of the child are: communication, interaction, sharing, acceptance and respect for one another. The children learn to communicate, interact and share with one another. They learn to accept and respect one another as the Religion Circle Time focuses on “We are special. We are special in the eyes of God, our parents and teachers. We are unique.”
Developmental Goals
Throughout the school year the Pre-Kindergarten Early Childhood Program will:
- Provide a caring, rich and safe environment, thereby building security in the child about his/her environment and the adults around him/her.
- View each child as unique with an individual developmental pattern.
- Present a sequential approach to learning – each child will be encouraged in the areas of cognitive language (receptive/expressive), fine and gross motor, social/emotional and self-help skill development.
- Provide ample manipulative interactive toys, thereby aiding and maximizing the child’s natural ability to observe, explore, discover and create.
- Provide ample opportunities for free choice of activities and social interactions – the child will enhance his/here self-esteem and build positive feelings towards himself/herself and learning.
- Provide a variety of experiences in the fine arts and performing arts – the child will explore and develop his/her creativity.
- Ensure a balance of teacher-directed and child-directed activities which will foster problem-solving and intellectual stimulation
- Help the child to develop age-appropriate personal practices that encourage independence and result in good physical health.
- Re-direct the child to more appropriate behavior through adult modeling and guidance, thus developing problem-solving skills and self control.
- Make the child’s experience of school an enjoyable and affirmative one, thereby creating a self-motivated and independent learner.
- Establish and maintain frequent contact with the child’s parents/family/significant others, thereby encouraging shared decision-making and participation.