numbers, mark making to represent numbers, comparing and grouping objects, counting and one to one correspondence, exploring patterns, recognizing basic shapes, and understanding of spatial concepts such as “under” and “over.” Early Childhood students progress to recognizing, comparing and grouping objects, counting and one to one correspondence, finding patterns, number recognition and substituting, estimation, recognizing shapes and writing numbers. Math concepts are taught in a differentiated way, meeting the individual interests and needs of each learner. Music Students become comfortable in group music making. Concepts such as high/low and basic classroom instrument percussion are introduced. Learning is often linked to literature to inspire student creative decision making with the use of instruments. Physical Education Through playful group activities, students are introduced to the joy of movement. They explore how their bodies move in space, using both gross and fine motor skills. From jumping like frogs to practicing with scooters, this program is all about developing coordination, control, and a love for being active. Visual Art Students become familiar with handling and manipulating materials and tools. Exploration of fine arts concepts are introduced through guided, open-ended projects. Drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, and printmaking are introduced through various mediums, linked to artists, genres, seasons, and literature. Yoga and Built to Thrive Children meet with a childhood yoga instructor as a group once a month for yoga. They learn how to calm their body and incorporate mindfulness techniques into their lives. The Built to Thrive program meets twice a month for all early childhood students. This program enhances social-emotional intelligence through literature, play, and reflection. Built to Thrive provides thoughtful activities to practice students’ social-emotional learning, develop empathy for others, and practice problem-solving skills. Children also work on identifying and labeling their emotions while also recognizing the feelings of others.
phonics, and phonological awareness. Children will demonstrate an emerging understanding of writing as a way to communicate feelings and knowledge. More specifically, the early childhood literary experience provides learners with access and exposure to a wide variety of literary materials. Children in early childhood are able to express ideas and feelings through their growing expressive language. Children can repeat rhymes and songs with their receptive language skills. Their expanding vocabulary is also developed. Pictures are interpreted meaningfully as cues to what is happening in a text or story as students show interest in stories and books. Children are able to draw simple analogies from their own experiences and share with their classmates, often through self-authored and illustrated books. Children practice categorization. As they begin to recognize some letters, children find their own name in print, and begin to read their classmates’ names as well. The children also begin to express their ideas with scribbles, drawings, and written letters to communicate. As children show readiness and interest, invented spelling is explored and encouraged. The print-rich environment of the early childhood classroom fosters the growth of literacy for our preschool children. We strive to meet children where they are by learning their individual needs to further their growth and development. Their growing interest in stories and books continues throughout their early childhood experience. As stories are continually shared with them, children can begin predicting what might happen next. They begin to recall information, and retell or read a familiar story. Towards the end of early childhood, children’s alphabetic knowledge expands as they recognize most letters and can identify some letter and sound associations. The directionality of looking at print or reading from left to right is established. Some children may begin to identify the beginning sound in words or read consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words aloud. Children may begin to show interest in printing words with uppercase letters, using the efficiency of top to bottom to print. Expressive language skills are used to ask for things or gain more information by asking questions. Children also experience the capability to answer open ended questions. Mathematics Implementing the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the Early Childhood Program begins with introducing children to math concepts that are incorporated into the classroom. Student interest and provocations unveil the concepts that are to be explored in early childhood. Topics of study include recognizing
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Lower School | Pre-Kindergarten
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