Curriculum

Ages we serve

• Toddlers/Twos
• Pre-K Threes
• Pre-K Fours

Core Subjects & Curriculum Components

We provide a stimulating environment where children develop a solid foundation for further learning and a positive attitude toward school. We teach a love of learning. Our classrooms are filled with play-based, hands-on learning experiences. This is how children learn best! All components of our program are based on developmentally appropriate practices. In essence, that means that we meet the needs of each student at his or her own level and build upon his or her strengths.

Spiritual Development

• Daily activities to help children grow in awareness of the love of God
• Classroom prayers with peers
• Sharing of Bible stories, Christian-based stories and songs
• Weekly chapel

Physical Development

• Outside playground time twice a day (weather permitting)
• Music and motor class daily
• Easel in every classroom for both gross and fine motor development
• Handwriting Without Tears materials in every classroom for fine motor development

Cognitive Development

• Each classroom is a literacy-rich environment
• STEAM focus (Science/Technology/Engineering/the Arts/Math)
• An atmosphere of exploration, discovery, and individual creativity

Social Development

• Opportunities to work individually, in small groups and as a class community
• Sharing, participating and listening to others is encouraged
• Conflict resolution skills are introduced and practiced

Emotional Development

• Independence and self-help skills are fostered
• Encouraging children to be confident learners
• Establishing a strong sense of self

Art

Creating art is a positive, tactile experience which encourages expression of ideas and feelings. In child-initiated art, emphasis is placed on the process rather than product. Rather than completing a predetermined “craft,” children become the sole owners of their art as they explore various media (paint, shaving cream, play dough, etc.) using a wide variety of applicators — everything from their own fingers to tree branches to feathers. Process art helps children develop critical-thinking skills as they plan and organize their artwork.

Literacy

Every child at our school is exposed to and engaged in a literacy-rich environment. We strive to create an atmosphere where children are explorers, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. We desire for children to become lifelong learners who love to read! We use a research based, balanced approach to literacy.

In order to be successful readers, children first need a strong foundation in phonemic awareness and oral language development. At all levels, you will find children engaged in chants, rhymes, songs and many other opportunities to “play with language.” Because it holds such meaning for a child, we use a child’s name to first introduce letters and sounds. From there, we use a variety of materials and methods to reinforce learning and make connections to new learning.

Our classrooms are filled with authentic purposes for reading and writing. You will find inviting library centers where children can read and well-stocked writing centers where children can write letters, stories, lists or anything they have in mind. Through read-alouds and shared writing, teachers are intentional about modeling strategies for learning. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher and students to interact with a text together. Teachers use this time to help students learn about elements of text and to build a foundation for reading skills. Likewise, shared writing is an interactive experience where students can help generate a message or story and even “share the pen” to help write part of the message themselves. These are excellent opportunities to learn about how letters and words work.

Mathematics

Children build a solid conceptual understanding of math concepts through concrete, authentic experiences. At all levels, you will find children counting, sorting, building, graphing, measuring, and problem solving in classroom centers. Teachers help children advance these skills using a developmentally appropriate sequence.

Science & Social Studies

Science provides an opportunity to appreciate living things, improve observation skills, develop vocabulary, and foster children’s natural curiosity. Social Studies topics broaden children’s knowledge of the world around them. For both subjects, our centers emphasize hands-on learning and exploration. Children will also interact with and learn from nonfiction texts.

Spiritual Development

We integrate our faith into all we do. Classroom staff are Christian and answer young children’s questions from a developmentally appropriate Christian perspective. Teachers include Christian Education in their lesson plans, and our children pray every day in their classrooms. Additionally, each student attends Chapel weekly. Our Chapel time is always lively, engaging and Biblical. We invite Grandparents and Special Friends to Chapel in the fall and include families in our Christmas and Easter Chapels.