FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES:
Self Concept
Construct experiences and relationships which help build a wholesome
emotional foundation for children's lives. Promote development in ways
which affirm the sense of personal worth, strengthen faith in one's own
abilities, and support the growth of initiative and self-discovery.
Social Growth
Create opportunity for extended personal relationships through which
children may learn to live and work successfully with others. Enable
children to identify with a social group, and to have experiences in
learning to think and act cooperatively.
Perceptual Development
Expand the capacity of perceptual skills as a means of fully perceiving
the world in all its aspects. Allow children to be physically involved
in the learning process. Lead experiences that will enhance growth in
all perceptual skill areas.
Language Arts
Encourage progress in effective use of language. Develop language as a
means of communction, a tool for thought and learning, and a resource
for self-expression. Develop understanding of the relationship between
the spoken and the written. When sufficient physiological maturation
and experimental background have been attained, provide expert reading
instruction.
Mathematics
Incorporate into children's daily experiences many opportunities for
the exploration and discovery, using number ideas as a basis for
intuitive understanding and mathematical reasoning. Guide the
pre-primary child, who exists in a concrete world, to move from the
concrete to the abstract. Help children begin to appreciate numbers as a
means of communicating ideas.
Science
Extend children's awareness and understanding of the natural
environment through many opportunities for first-hand investigation.
Inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the physical world.
Encourage the development of skills with which to search for
explanations. Nurture growth of ability to organize and interpret facts
in relation to the basic ideas of science.
Reading Readiness
In a fully integrated learning environment, support development of a
positive attitude toward reading and create genuine desire for learn to
read. Enable children, as they are developmentally ready, to master
skills needed to enter formal reading instruction. Build interest and
enjoyment through children's active involvement in learning. Although
teaching reading is not the primary purpose of o
ur early childhood
educational program, we offer a quality program which can do much to
pave the way for early/easy reading to occur when each child is ready.
Phonics
Present specific principals and skills systematically, one at a time.
Use Modern Curriculum Press and Bridges To Reading Curriculum in a
"total experience" environment. Reinforce phonetic skills through the
use of the five senses, allowing children to become actively involved
in learning phonics. Present an initial consonant, vowel, or digraph
each week, through play and a variety of lively pre-reading skill
activities.
Creativity
Enrich personal development through opportunity for creative expression
in many forms. Maintain an atmosphere of respect for individuality and
imagination in which the creative potential of each child may be freely
released. Enhance appreciation for music, art, and dramatics through
direct involvement.
Physical Education
Direct experiences which contribute to the physical fitness and
muscular coordination of children. Strengthen the concept of self
through increased awareness and mastery of bodily abilities.
The Parent-Teacher Partnership
Work toward building a warm, friendly, and cooperative relationship
between home and school. Help parents and teachers to be aware that
their attitudes and understandings, in some instances, affect the
attitudes of each child toward school. Plan together for maximum
development of each child's potential. Acknowledge that education takes
place both at home and at school, hence parents and educators have
joint responsibility for the quality of this education.