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CURRICULUM & PHILOSOPHIES
Our program includes an introduction to basic music knowledge. Children enjoy
learning songs and finger plays of all kinds, for example, Christian, seasonal,
as well as experimenting with different rhythms and beats. We hope to instill in
each child a lasting love for music.
Creative Movement
Creative movement is a program designed to develop large muscle control and
enhance balance and coordination. This program follows a sequential order for
the growth and development of physical skills. Children are also introduced to
sports and game concepts in a noncompetitive environment.
Art
Children are exposed to many different art mediums; for example, clay, paint,
textiles, and given opportunities to create, explore, and discover. Child
experts emphasize the process is more important than the product. Therefore,
children will spend more time in the creative process, resulting in fewer
polished projects to take home.
Chapel
Chapel for our Three’s and Pre-K typically includes Christian songs, stories,
discussion, and a Bible verse, as well as prayer. Chapel is every Wednesday
morning.
Our philosophy and classroom “curriculum is based
on the following guidelines found in “A Survival Guide For the Preschool
Teacher” by Jean R. Feldman, Ph.D.
How do Children Learn?
Children are natural learners-they are curious, interested, and enthusiastic
about learning new things. The best way to teach children is to build on play
and their natural learning styles.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PLAY. Play is what children do best and enjoy the most.
For children, play is their work. Play fosters total development and should be
integrated into everything children do.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH DOING. Children learn through active involvement with
concrete objects. They need many firsthand experiences with real things, such as
science experiments, construction, art projects, dramatic play, and field trips.
I HEAR AND I FORGET.
I SEE AND I REMEMBER.
I DO AND I UNDERSTAND.
Chinese Proverb
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH THEIR SENSES. Children learn by seeing, hearing,
touching, tasting, and smelling. Think of each of the senses as a pathway to the
brain; the more senses or pathways involved, the more likely learning will
occur. Sensory learning also emphasizes the need for a variety of media and
materials to stimulate children’s senses.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH LANGUAGE. Children need to talk about their experiences
and to verbalize what they are thinking. Teachers can foster language by
describing what they are doing, labeling objects, clarifying children’s
thoughts, and asking and answering their questions.
CHILDREN LEARN BY MOVING. Children seem to be in constant motion. They have a
limited attention span and cannot learn sitting quietly pushing a pencil. Direct
their energy with whole body experiences where they can move and use their
hands, feet, heads, and bodies to learn.
CHILDREN LEARN BY BEING MOTIVATED. Motivation is a key ingredient to learning.
Interesting materials and a stimulating environment will spark children’s
curiosity and inspire them to learn. Pleasing parents, teachers, praise,
rewards, and other personal reasons further motivate children to learn.
CHILDREN LEARN ON THEIR OWN LEVEL. Assess each child’s background and skills so
you can build on their past experiences. If activities are too easy, children
will be bored, but if they are too difficult, children will be frustrated. Break
down difficult activities into small steps so each child can succeed and move
from simple to more complex activities.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH PRAISE AND REINFORCEMENT. “Nothing succeeds like
success.” Positive experiences and praise encourage children to learn more while
building their confidence. Give children constant reinforcement with smiles,
pats, and verbal encouragement.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH IMITATION. Children learn by observing others and then
imitating what they see and hear. Children also imitate values and attitudes
that they see in parents, teacher, and peers.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH REPETITION. Children build knowledge through repetition
and through accumulated experience. The amount of time that is spent on
activities is another significant factor in learning.
CHILDREN LEARN BY EXPERIMENTING. Children need the freedom to experiment,
explore, try things out, and to make choices. Since they learn through trial and
error, accept their mistakes and offer feedback and support.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH EXPOSURE. Children are like sponges, learning more in the
preschool years than any other period. They need to be stimulated with a wide
variety of materials, activities, and subject matter.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH INTERACTING WITH FRIENDS. It is amazing how much children
learn through talking, watching, and playing with their friends, siblings, and
others. Peer teaching is a meaningful way of learning that should not be
overlooked.
CHILDREN LEARN IN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT. Children need to feel loved, safe, and
secure in order to learn. An atmosphere of warmth and acceptance is much more
conductive than one that is competitive or threatening.
CHILDREN LEARN WHEN THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS ARE MET. Children who are hungry,
sleepy, or under stress will have a difficult time learning. Make sure children
receive good nutrition, proper rest, and emotional support.
CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH WHOLENESS. Learning is not isolated, but should be
connected and integrated in all areas of curriculum. Learning should also focus
on the whole child by meeting their physical, social, emotional, and
intellectual needs.
When the above guidelines are followed, children will become independent
learners who are excited about school and are enthusiastic about learning. They
will have a strong foundation, confidence in their abilities, and lifelong
skills that will help them continue to learn.
HOW DO YOU NURTURE A POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT IN CHILDREN?
Self-concept incorporates all the feelings and perceptions that children have
about themselves. Children are not born with a self-concept; it develops from
the way people talk to them, respond to them, and treat them. In addition to
parents, teachers have a strong impact on children’s sense of self.
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