The preschool class is made up of children ages three to five years. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool as well as keenly observing and making notes on the children’s play. These observations make teachers aware of subjects that are interesting to the children. Based on these interests, teachers design lessons and activities and enhance classroom centers in an effort to engage children in complex play and higher-level thinking.
Hands-On Play & Projects
When preschoolers experience work that is hands-on, child centered and rewarding, their love for learning is strengthened significantly. The classroom is divided into learning centers: writing, books, manipulative activities, blocks, dramatic play, art, and science. Learning centers provide opportunities for the children to have choices and to actively explore the environment using a variety of materials.
Since play is the medium through which preschool children learn, most activities are in the form of hands-on play activities. Music, art, literature, language development, science, and math concepts are carefully woven into the daily program. Children are involved in various projects of particular interest to them. These projects are a cooperative group effort, but the children participate at their own level and are encouraged to progress as far as they can.
It is through project work that children learn the many concepts and skills needed for continued development. Projects provide the opportunity for children to use skills to solve real problems. It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide the right materials, to ask the right questions, and to assist in documenting the project’s progression. The children share their many wonderful ideas and do most of the actual “work”.
Parent Participation is Key
The teaching staff will put much effort into documenting the work of the children for you to see. You will want to look around the classroom each day for evidence of your child’s activities. This will not only help you to better understand the work that your child has done that day, but will give you ideas of questions to ask and ways to reinforce the learning at home. Parents are encouraged to participate in the projects by providing materials, and supplies, or by volunteering in the classroom. The daily schedule is planned to include active and quiet times, large and small muscle activities, and child-initiated activities and is posted in the classroom.