Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Program
The Early Childhood curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the developing four, five and six- year-old. A balanced day, including structured academic work periods, developmental play and a variety of music and art is provided. Social studies and science experiences are part of daily learning and integrated into the curriculum. Frequent class trips enrich the program and reflect the School’s motto “The World is Our Classroom.”
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
SCHEDULE
The Pre-Kindergarten program includes a choice of five half days, three half days and two full days or five full days.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL SKILLS
Children have opportunities to play and interact together, learning and developing their social skills. Ample opportunities are available for each child to develop the ability to interact in a positive way in a group. The development of fine motor skills is encouraged through the various art projects, pre-writing and writing activities and classroom manipulatives. Gross motor development is fostered through movement, outdoor play and physical education classes.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Children engage in a wide variety of tasks designed to increase attention span and improve listening and problem-solving skills. Natural curiosity is a motivating force and many opportunities for making choices are available. The pre-reading language arts program focuses on skills to help children identify letter names and sounds.
Concepts of mathematics and science are explored through active manipulation of classroom materials. Such topics as volcanoes, oceans, seeds and plants and seasons lend themselves to experiential activities.
KINDERGARTEN
SCHEDULE
Kindergarten is a full day, five-day-a-week program. A day in the classroom includes structured academic work periods, developmental play and art experiences. Special area teachers enrich the program with classes in art, music, science, French, physical education and library education.
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL SKILLS
While in Kindergarten, the solitary and parallel play of the pre-school child becomes more directed as cooperative and interactive play dominate. Sharing, waiting for turns, social problem-solving skills and positive relationships with both peers and adults are fostered. The development of fine motor control is encouraged through cutting, pasting, printing and writing projects. A daily physical education class and a daily recess promote gross motor development.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
In Kindergarten, language arts and math instruction are intricately woven into the day. The comprehensive language arts program includes phonics, literature and creative writing. Children are provided an opportunity to meet one-to-one with a teacher in the Reading Room to further develop phonics/reading skills. The mathematics curriculum emphasizes number recognition, invariance of number, counting, combining sets, sorting, graphing, patterning, measuring, coin value and telling time. As often as possible, concepts are presented in real life situations.
In addition, children meet once or more each week for classes in science, French, and music, and a visit to the Lower School library. Children visit the art studio for three month-long units each year to complete comprehensive projects.
