Preschoolers (Nazareth)

Three and four-year-olds enjoy being independent and independence is a crucial factor at this developmental stage. By encouraging independence in daily activities, you become a key factor in supporting a child’s participation and learning in class. The three-year-old has a longer attention span than the two-year-old and they are starting to think about actions before doing them.

During morning group time and other group times, it is important to protect children from interruptions so they can learn what it feels like to concentrate on something. The four-year-old is very talkative, asking lots of questions and has an active imagination. We encourage children to participate in problem solving; even let them work out their own problems and conflicts by providing a negotiating space for children to use their words. Teacher-directed vs. child-initiated activities will be included daily along with opportunities for quiet as well as active times.

The Three and Four-Year-Old curriculum also follows a daily activity format that matches the learning environment for the age. They offer activities for both group time and discovery centers. The teachers will introduce new materials and rotate materials in the discovery centers so that the children become inundated with new possibilities. All the activities will meet learning objectives that help children move toward their potential as they explore the materials and activities in the classroom. Learning centers include language, creative arts, math/manipulative, dramatic play, science/sensory, music/movement and blocks.

Large and small group activities, outdoor time and circle time are also a part of the day. During circle time the Bible focus for the day will be introduced as well as the letter, shape, color and number of the week. Some other aspects of circle time are learning self-control, communication, socialization, listening skills, math concepts thru the calendar, memorization with finger plays and songs, and knowledge about the weekly theme.