In a preschool class guided by a Christian faith-based curriculum centered learning though play, every activity and interaction are intentionally designed to nurture young hearts and minds while focusing on key developmental skills.
All About me: In our curriculum focusing on "All About Me," children typically learn about themselves and their identities. This theme encourages self-awareness, self-expression, and social skills development. Activities may include:
- Self-Expression: Children learn to talk about themselves, their likes, dislikes, family, and friends.
- Body Awareness: Activities such as identifying body parts, discussing senses, and learning about health and hygiene.
- Emotions: Recognizing and expressing feelings, understanding emotions in themselves and others.
- Family and Community: Exploring family structures, traditions, and roles within the community.
- Cultural Awareness: Learning about diversity, traditions, and celebrations from different cultures.
- Art and Creativity: Engaging in activities like self-portraits, creating family trees, and expressing themselves through various art forms.
- Language Development: Building vocabulary related to self-concept, emotions, and relationships with others.
- Social Skills: Practicing sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with peers.
Community Helpers: In our preschool curriculum focusing on community helpers, children typically learn about various professions and the roles these professionals play in our communities. They may explore occupations such as firefighters, police officers, doctors, teachers, farmers, mail carriers, and more
Through engaging activities, stories, crafts, and group discussions, preschoolers can develop an understanding of the importance of these community helpers and how they contribute to society. They may also learn about the tools and uniforms associated with different professions and engage in pretend play to role-play as different community helpers.
Our curriculum not only introduces children to different career paths but also helps them develop social skills, empathy, and an appreciation for the people who work to keep our communities safe, healthy, and functioning smoothly.
Under the Sea: In our curriculum, the "Under the Sea," children typically learn about marine life, oceans, and related topics through various engaging activities. Here's a small description of what children in preschool might learn in such a curriculum:
Marine Animals: Children learn about different types of sea creatures such as fish, dolphins, whales, sharks, octopuses, and starfish. They explore their characteristics, habitats, and behaviors through stories, videos, and hands-on activities.
- Ocean Habitats: Kids discover the diverse ecosystems found in the ocean, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and deep-sea environments. They learn about the importance of protecting these habitats and the creatures that call them home.
- Ocean Exploration: Children are introduced to famous ocean explorers and their discoveries, such as Jacques Cousteau and the Titanic expedition. They may engage in pretend play as explorers, using maps, compasses, and binoculars to navigate the deep blue sea.
- Art and Crafts: Through art and crafts projects, kids create sea-themed artworks like ocean dioramas, paper plate jellyfish, fish puppets, and seashell collages. These activities help foster creativity and fine motor skills.
- Science Experiments: Preschoolers engage in simple science experiments related to the ocean, such as exploring buoyancy with floating and sinking objects, creating ocean currents with water and food coloring, and observing saltwater vs. freshwater properties.
- Literacy and Language: Children read books about sea adventures, sing sea-themed songs, and learn vocabulary related to marine life. They may also engage in storytelling activities where they create their own tales set under the sea.
- Physical Activities: Kids participate in movement activities inspired by ocean creatures, such as "crab walk races," "whale jumps," and "octopus tag." These activities promote physical development and coordination.
- Sensory Play: Children engage in sensory play with materials like sand, water, shells, and seaweed to explore different textures, colors, and sensations related to the ocean environment.
By incorporating these activities into the curriculum, children in preschool under the sea theme not only learn about the fascinating world beneath the waves but also develop important skills across various domains of early childhood education.
Ecosystems: In this curriculum ecosystem, young children typically engage in a wide range of activities designed to promote their holistic development. This can include:
- Social Skills: Children learn how to interact with peers and teachers, share, take turns, and communicate effectively.
- Cognitive Development: Activities focus on building foundational skills such as recognizing letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Language Development: Children are exposed to vocabulary through stories, songs, and conversations to help develop their language skills.
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Activities such as drawing, cutting, pasting, running, jumping, and climbing help children develop their motor skills.
- Creativity and Imagination: Opportunities for creative expression through art, music, drama, and imaginative play are provided to foster creativity and imagination.
- Early Literacy and Numeracy: Introduction to pre-reading skills, basic math concepts, and an exploration of the natural world through age-appropriate science activities.
- Emotional Development: Children learn to recognize and manage their emotions, develop empathy, and build positive relationships with others.
Overall, the preschool curriculum ecosystem aims to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn, explore, and grow while laying the foundation for future academic success and lifelong learning.
Around the World: Preschool curriculum worldwide focuses on fostering the holistic development of young children through play-based activities, social interaction, and structured learning experiences. Some common elements found in preschool curricula globally include:
- Social Skills: Children learn how to interact with their peers, share, take turns, and develop empathy and cooperation skills.
- Language Development: Through storytelling, singing, rhyming games, and other activities, children are exposed to language and communication skills to help them develop vocabulary and linguistic abilities.
- Cognitive Development: Preschoolers engage in activities that promote critical thinking, problem-solving skills, early math concepts, and basic literacy skills.
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Activities such as drawing, painting, cutting, pasting, running, jumping, and playing with various toys help children develop their motor skills.
- Creativity and Imagination: Preschool curriculum often includes arts and crafts, music, drama, and imaginative play to encourage creativity and self-expression.
- Exploration and Discovery: Children are encouraged to explore their environment, ask questions, and learn through hands-on experiences such as nature walks, science experiments, and sensory activities.
- Cultural Awareness: Many preschool programs incorporate activities that expose children to different cultures, traditions, and perspectives to foster an appreciation for diversity and global awareness.
Overall, preschool curriculum worldwide aims to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can develop social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills essential for future academic success and lifelong learning.
The Solar System: In our preschool curriculum covering the solar system, children typically learn about the sun, moon, planets, and other celestial objects in our solar system in a fun and engaging way. Through various hands-on activities, stories, songs, and crafts, they explore basic concepts such as the names of the planets, their order from the sun, their characteristics, and their relative sizes. Children also learn about basic space-related terms, such as orbit, gravity, and astronaut. This curriculum often sparks curiosity and imagination in young minds, fostering a love for science and space exploration from an early age.
Exploring though Art: In our preschool curriculum focused on exploring through art, children typically engage in various activities that help them develop their creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive abilities. Through painting, drawing, sculpting, and other art forms, children are encouraged to express themselves, experiment with different materials, colors, and textures, and learn about shapes, patterns, and composition.
In addition to honing their artistic skills, children also learn important concepts such as cause and effect, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving as they create and manipulate art pieces. This hands-on approach to learning not only fosters imagination and self-expression but also helps children build confidence, develop their communication skills, and enhance their ability to think critically and creatively.
Overall, a curriculum that emphasizes exploring through art in preschool provides a rich and engaging environment for children to learn, grow, and explore the world around them in a fun and meaningful way.
Our Five Senses: In our preschool curriculum focused on the five senses, young children typically engage in hands-on activities and experiences to explore and understand how their senses work. Here is a brief overview of what children might learn:
- Sight: Children learn about the sense of sight by exploring colors, shapes, patterns, and visual stimuli. They engage in activities such as looking at pictures, sorting objects by color, and observing their surroundings.
- Hearing: Children explore the sense of hearing by listening to different sounds, music, and stories. They may experiment with musical instruments, play listening games, and learn about the different sounds in their environment.
- Taste: Children discover the sense of taste by trying different foods, flavors, and textures. They may engage in taste tests, learn about healthy eating habits, and explore the concept of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes.
- Smell: Children explore the sense of smell by identifying and distinguishing various scents. They may participate in scent-related activities like smelling herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices, and learn about the importance of our sense of smell.
- Touch: Children learn about the sense of touch through tactile experiences and sensory play. They may engage in activities like exploring different textures, temperatures, and materials, as well as learning about the sense of pressure, vibration, and pain.
Overall, a curriculum focused on the five senses helps children develop a deeper understanding of how their bodies interact with the world around them and promotes sensory exploration, cognitive development, and scientific inquiry at an early age.
Family & Friends: In our preschool curriculum focused on "Family & Friends," children typically learn about the people and relationships that are important in their lives. This curriculum often includes activities and lessons that help children:
- Identify and describe different family members and their roles.
- Understand and appreciate diversity in families, including various structures and traditions.
- Recognize emotions and practice empathy towards others.
- Develop social skills through cooperative play and interactions with peers.
- Learn about friendship, sharing, and resolving conflicts peacefully.
- Explore the concept of community and the roles people play within it.
- Engage in activities that promote communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
Overall, the "Family & Friends" curriculum in preschool aims to foster a sense of belonging, empathy, and social skills in young children as they learn about themselves and their place in the world.
Friendship & Kindness: In our preschool curriculum focused on friendship and kindness, children typically learn fundamental social and emotional skills that help them develop positive relationships with their peers. This may include:
- Understanding Emotions: Children learn to recognize and understand their own emotions and those of others. They learn to express feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, and empathy.
- Building Empathy: Through stories, role-playing, and activities, children learn to understand and share the feelings of others. They practice kindness, sharing, and helping behaviors.
- Conflict Resolution: Children learn how to manage conflicts peacefully, express themselves appropriately, listen to others, and find solutions that work for everyone involved.
- Communication Skills: They develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs effectively. They also learn to listen actively and respect others' perspectives.
- Cooperation and Collaboration: Children engage in group activities that promote teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration. They learn to take turns, work together towards common goals, and appreciate the contributions of each team member.
- Respect and Inclusion: Children learn about diversity, respect for others' differences, and the value of inclusivity. They celebrate each other's uniqueness and learn to be kind and welcoming to everyone.
- Friendship Skills: Children learn how to make friends, maintain friendships, and be good friends themselves. They practice sharing, taking turns, showing appreciation, and offering support to their peers.
Overall, a curriculum focused on friendship and kindness in preschool aims to nurture a positive and inclusive classroom environment where children feel safe, respected, and valued, laying a strong foundation for their social and emotional development.
Music & Movement: In our preschool curriculum focusing on music and kindness, young children typically engage in a variety of activities that promote both musical development and social-emotional skills.
In music, children may learn basic concepts such as rhythm, melody, and tempo through singing, dancing, and playing simple instruments like tambourines or xylophones. They may also be introduced to different genres of music and learn to express themselves creatively through music-related activities.
In terms of kindness, children are taught the importance of empathy, sharing, cooperation, and treating others with respect. Teachers may use stories, role-playing, and group discussions to help children understand the value of kindness and how their actions can impact others positively.
Overall, the combination of music and kindness in the curriculum helps children develop not only their musical abilities but also their social skills, emotional intelligence, and overall sense of empathy and compassion towards others.