Pre-K

TEACHER: Tami Aidlin
SPANISH TEACHER: Stephanie Morris
PARENT EDUCATOR: Jen Giomi

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
4 and 5-year-olds are preparing for Kindergarten in so many ways. They continue to learn best through hands-on play, but new opportunities for pre-academics are added to preschool:

• Literacy–writing center for dictating stories, traveling books that go home for dictated installments, opportunities for identifying and writing words
• Science–experiments that challenge predicting, comparing, and problem solving
• Math–calendar, charting, math processes in stories and games
• Fine motor–expanded art projects, free creation with varied materials, opportunities to write
• Social studies–expanded curriculum themes
• Rich curriculum–the high adult to child ratio allows for more curriculum activities and options
• Social and Emotional readiness still top the list of requirements of Kindergarten teachers
• Extended Circle Times–kids practice listening and regulating their own bodies
• Facilitated Problem Solving–adults are ready to guide kids to their own solutions Empathy–Second Step curriculum to teach children to read social situations
• Self-Regulation–learning to wait, follow teacher directed instruction, handle frustration
• Friendships–ways to engage friends in play, appropriate ways to say “no “All this and the kids just think they are playing!

DAILY ROUTINE
Playground and Gym Time facilitated by parents/caregivers and Teacher(Besides exercising their large muscles running and climbing, kids learn school playground skills like group games, beginning sports skills, lining up, sharing physical space safely)
Meeting (teacher directed instruction, outlining choices for the day, discussions around curriculum themes)
Choice Time to Play, Explore, Pretend, and Create (Kids are often negotiating play/projects in small groups, working on skills of inclusion and respecting ideas of others)
Clean up (Kids have often engaged in “Super Play” where toys/materials get mixed together and need to go back into place.  Special creations can be saved and worked on for more than one day. Kids are learning to respect and care for their school as well as for each other)
Circle Time (Developing listening skills, practicing pre-academic tasks, predicting outcomes and discussing social themes, and much more)
Snack (Usually we share a healthy snack served Family Style so we can use conversation skills and social manners.  Sometimes children cook snack related to the theme)
After Snack Activity (Guided, varied skill building embedded in games, activities, science experiments, etc.)
Music/Movement (Singing, dancing, learning to share space while using large muscles)
Good-Byes

PARENT / CAREGIVER INVOLVEMENT
Parents assist in the classroom one day a week. You choose whether your day each week will be either Mon/Tues/Wed/Thursday afternoon. Your child comes the other days without you. If you cannot come in due to illness, etc. you ask another parent to trade with you. We teach you ways to interact with the kids using our “positive discipline” philosophy. You provide and prepare healthy snack for the kids (on a rotating basis)
Parents get to:
Attend a monthly, evening parent meeting to discuss business and parenting topics
Help with the running of the preschool and fundraising
Choose a co-op job that fits your interests, skill, and time
Get to know other families that are investing in our children’s education
Conference with the parent educator about kindergarten readiness

PARENT / CAREGIVER’S PROGRAM IN A 4-5’S PRE-K CLASS
Is my child ready for Kindergarten?  Why is he so bossy? Will he ever be able to sit still? She won’t even put on her own shoes!
A Parent Education Instructor attends class one day each week (alternating Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs) ready to check in with you to offer tips that will help at home and at school. The class chooses one night a month for Parent Meeting–time to learn about guidance and discipline AND as an adult night out together (example: first Tuesday of each month 7-9:00). To personalize your learning, choose from a list of free talks on topics such as: Guidance & Discipline, Raising Boys/Girls, How To Talk So Kids Will Listen, Siblings, Raising an Only,  First Aid and CPR.

• The Parent Education Instructor partners with your family to compelte a developmental screening
• Parents / Caregivers attend a Conference with both the Class Teacher and Parent Education Instructor in the spring