Learning through guided activity and free exploration (Full Day Program)
SCIS strives to create a stimulating, nurturing classroom community, where everyone is respected and valued, and where learning becomes a natural part of socialization.
- Children construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Creative expression is fostered
- Discovery and experimentation is encouraged
Play is an essential aspect of learning for young children. Our pre-kindergarten program will provide children with extended periods of free play on a daily basis. Free play encourages young children to communicate, exercise free choice, and gain confidence. Through interaction with peers and teachers, children learn acceptable ways to handle conflict, verbalize their own feelings, and accept the feelings of others. In a child-sensitive environment, children learn to be independent while building a strong sense of self-esteem.
Pre-Kindergarten Program Elements
Physical
Exploring, practicing, and developing large and small motor coordination skills area focus to enhance the development of both body and mind.
- Gross Motor Skills: Run, jump, climb, skip, gallop, hop, balance, dance, and dress for recess
- Fine Motor Skills: Draw, color within the lines, copy, fold paper, cut, print first name, draw, work puzzles, zip, button, lace, open containers and packages
Emotional
Children are given opportunities to develop relationships with peers and other adultsin a school setting. They are also encouraged to identify feelings and are taught howto appropriately express them to others. Goals of emotional development include:
- Separating from parents
- Following routines and procedures
- Listening to others to gain and share information
- Helping to solve problems
- Demonstrating pride and confidence in self
- Reacting to disappointment and failure in an acceptable manner
- Thinking independently
Social
Interacting with other children and adults while learning to care aboutothers is the beginning of socialization. During this development,children learn and are encouraged to do the following:
- Take turns while sharing, cooperating with others
- Increase verbal expression while playing with peers and interacting with adults
- Perform simple tasks that are part of the classroom community.
Intellectual
Children begin gaining meaning about concepts, language, communication, reading and math.
Concepts: Animals, rocks and soil, forms of water, weather features, physical properties, body motion, body parts, nutrition, school safety, emotions
Language and communication development: Identify and name common objects, use words to express wants and needs, sing songs, read pictures and tell a story, give meaningful answers to simple questions, begin to identify upper and lower case letters, answer questions about stories, hold a book correctly and turn the pages, remember story elements and events.
Math readiness skills: Match colors, shapes; use words that describe size such as big-little, more-less; recognize, count, and write numbers 1-10; develop number concepts, reproduce patterns
Homework
There will be no regular homework assigned for pre-kindergarten children.Parents are encouraged to read to their children on a daily basis and can reinforce classroom concepts through home play, songs, puzzles, games, and enriching family activities.
Supplies
Students in the pre-kindergarten program should bring the following items:
- An extra change of clothes to keep at school (does not need to be the school uniform)
- A healthy snack daily (in addition to home or school lunch)
