Socialization is an important part of the
program. Emphasis is placed on sharing, cooperation,
manners, taking turns, group participation, and expressing and identifying the feelings
of others and ourselves.
Responsibility and independence are encouraged through daily jobs.
Physical Development:
Small motor skills are developed in activities such as cutting, pasting, gluing, sorting, stringing
beads and lacing, Large motor skills are developed through musical and exercise activities, as well as playground activity
when the weather permits.
Building with blocks provides an important avenue for promoting physical,
emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Children use large and small muscles and learn to work together and share with
others when making buildings and structures. They build confidence and patience as they create, discover and problem solve.
Awareness of nature is encouraged by daily weather routine including
a discussion of seasonal changes and the clothes we wear.
The alphabet is presented, including an introduction to each letter
and its specific sound.
Number awareness is encouraged through activities involving counting, finding numbers,
etc.
The children learn to recognize and name the primary colors and to
form new colors by mixing primary colors.
Daily exposure to music includes seasonal and age-appropriate songs,
as well as educational musical games. The children also enjoy parading using various musical instruments.
Appreciation of family (including different kinds of families) is encouraged through
stories, pictures. and daily sharing.
The "Community Helpers" or "people in our neighborhood" units develop
an awareness of the world and people around us.
Painting provides opportunities for developing color awareness and
self expression.
Nursery Rhymes help develop reading readiness skills.
The three year olds are introduced to the "Computer Kids" program
in the Spring and come to the computer center two at a time for introductory lessons involving use of the mouse and printing
projects.
