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The preschool classrooms follow Illinois Early Childhood Standards as well as a developmentally appropriate curriculum. The educational standards will be incorporated into the daily routines of each room. The preschool curriculum includes language arts, science, math, religion, art, music, and fine motor skill development. Preschoolers are taught through learning centers and games that introduce new concepts and engage their imaginations and quest for knowledge.

 

GROUP TIME: This is a period of 15–25 minutes that serves as a vehicle for teaching a wide variety of curriculum, including finger plays, nursery rhymes, stories, games, the calendar, counting, the weather, songs, oral language, and discussions focused on the current topic/theme.

 

STATIONS/CENTERS: During station/centers, the children will work in small groups on an activity or task that is teacher-directed. The children will rotate through all the stations/centers. Our stations cover activities in language arts, science, math, social studies, religion, and art.

 

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES: During centers, the children may choose their own activities and work individually or in small groups. This time is vital for social growth and the development of skills that encourage independent learners. Centers include areas that address math, letter recognition, science exploration, skills of dexterity, problem solving, reading, art, and simulated life experiences.

 

HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS®: We use the Handwriting Without Tears® program for our 4-year-old students. Handwriting Without Tears' research-based approach to early learning ensures students learn critical skills in writing and letter formation that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Handwriting Without Tears® helps children learn to write letters. The program addresses all types of learners, including auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. It helps improve fine motor skills, letter formation, spatial awareness, and body awareness.

 

RELIGION: Religion is integrated into our everyday activities. The children are taught prayers for the beginning of the day, snack time, lunchtime, and at the end of the day. Our religious education program aims to help children know God and learn Christian values through Bible stories, prayer, and role modeling. Our preschool classroom is a faith community—one that shares, loves, cares, helps, and prays.

 

ART: We use a variety of materials so the children may experience cutting, gluing, coloring, and painting. Art may also be used for instructive purposes such as the identification of shapes, learning to follow oral directions, sequencing steps, and learning various skills such as cutting and gluing. Activities are geared to the child’s level and focused more on the process of creation than the final project.

 

MATH: The preschool math curriculum uses games, hands-on activities, songs, and exploration to teach counting, number recognition, shapes, patterns, sorting, comparing quantities and sizes, non-standard measurement, and developing a sense of time.

 

MUSIC: Music is used to express emotions, reinforce subject material, and serve as a source of joy. We use CDs, rhythm instruments, scarves, ribbon sticks, singing, clapping, and creative movement.

 

LITERACY: The teachers use a variety of group time activities, games, and songs to teach early literacy. Songs, fingerplays, games, and other materials are part of the daily preschool program. Each classroom has a "class library" where students can look at books, pretend to read to each other, and work with story formation manipulatives. Literature is a large component of our program and is used throughout the day. We have a scheduled story time each day. We will expose the children to different culturally-based stories as well as different genres. Exploring the components of the story (conflict, character, and resolution), predicting what may happen next, retelling the story, exploring feelings and other emotions, and identifying the author and illustrator will be some of the skills introduced to the children.

 

SCIENCE: A variety of science materials will be used for exploration by the child during center/stations. Science study increases vocabulary and general knowledge, encourages curiosity, helps the child discover the laws of nature, and helps him become more aware of his/her surrounding world.

 

SOCIAL STUDIES: Young children show a natural curiosity about the world around them. A variety of topics are covered throughout the year that help our preschoolers learn more about themselves, their family, school, different cultures, and the local community.