Early Childhood

We create fun learning environments where play reinforces the many skills we learn and practice each day. Our expectations include, but are not limited to: 

communicating needs, thoughts, and experiences;

recognizing letters and name in print;

making some letter-sound matches;

attending to stories read aloud, recalling details, and reenacting events;

practicing sounds through play with rhymes, songs, poetry, and nursery rhymes;

understanding that words to convey meaning; and,

associating print with labeled items around the classroom/School.

 

The Early Childhood 3 classrooms are self-sufficient which enables us to have lunch, restroom breaks, and easy access to the early childhood playground within a bright, airy, safe, and nurturing environment. 

Some skills that are taught include:

            Language Arts

            Upper and lower case letter recognition;

            Knowledge of upper and lower case letter sounds;

            Recognition and production of simple rhyming words;

            Phonemic Awareness (identifying the beginning/ending sounds of words);

            Phonological Awareness (identifying how many “parts” to a word);

Comprehension-ability to retell a story in sequence and drawing a picture to tell the story;

Begin a simple writing process that includes, first, middle, and last name; and, Introduction to the correct written formation of letters and numbers.

 

Mathematics

Number recognition 0-20;

Rote counting to 0-20;

Writing numerals 0-10;

Number sequence 0-20;

One-to-one correspondence in counting objects;

Working with 2, 3, and 4 part patterns;

Comparing and sorting objects by different attributes;

Identifying shapes: 10; and,

Simple graphing and data interpretation

 

This is just an example of the main concepts that will presented to your child. The programs are balanced between teacher and child directed; active and quiet activities; large and small groups; as well as indoor and outdoor experiences. We strive to create an environment that facilitates the growth of awareness, exploration and inquiry and to encourage each child’s eagerness to learn.

 

The primary goal of the Early Childhood program is to help each child reach full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation.

 

 With the availability of iPads to all our Early Childhood students, they are now able to use Lexia. The Lexia Reading program helps provide explicit, systematic, and personalized learning.

 

Being a Great Expectations Model School, we incorporate the Magic Triad in each day of learning. We set high expectations for all, show respect for one another, care for one another, and help each other succeed. We work together developing a win/win attitude, establishing a climate of mutual respect, building self-esteem and valuing and celebrating the successes of self and others.

 

The students attend Music and Motor Development two times weekly. They also go to the Library once a week to check out age appropriate books. The children also participate in weekly Science lessons that are integrated with each letter of the alphabet. We have a music program during the month of December, and at the end of the year. We have parties to celebrate the holidays. The instructors incorporate other celebrations into the themes they teach.