Creative Curriculum Jr. Preschool Curriculum

Creative Curriculum Jr. Preschool program is very unique. This is the stage of life where children are moving from being a “dependent” toddler to a more “independent” preschooler. Our program will prepare your child for life skills by exposing children to various learning centers where they will be challenged physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively. Language skills, including the encouragement of complete sentences, clear articulation of wants and needs, and correct pronunciation are all practiced. In addition, children will be able to test their own skills by engaging in both child initiated and teacher directed activities. Independence skills and self-esteem are key factors in success at this stage. The activities presented in Jr. Preschool lay the foundation for future learning.

Creative Arts, Dramatic Play and Science Areas

Your child will make major strides in the areas of social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development as they transition from the Toddler room to the Jr. Preschool experience. Children have the opportunity to work individually and in groups to promote socialization. At the same time, children build confidence in their own abilities by participation in the following activities:

• Participation in dramatic play, block building and creative arts with other children
• Recognizing the needs of others
• Role playing
• Finding joy in science projects with an end result
• Learning to deal with conflict
• Beginning to cut, paste and enhance fine motor development
• Singing, dancing, and mimicking

Manipulatives and Math Areas

Our Jr. Preschool program is designed to help children work logically whether it be individually or in a group setting. Most of the concepts are learned while children go about their day in an engaged play. As children begin a project they are encouraged to think about closure, this instills the pre-math concept of completion. During clean up, children are able to sort and classify as they put materials away where they belong. During sand and water play, children are exposed to weights and measurements. As children build with blocks they are exposed to spatial relations and gravity. Teachers begin to ask probing questions to help children think and reason. The pre-math concepts your child will be exposed to are as follows:

• Group objects in categories
• Matching and classifying
• Completion of projects
• Basic introduction to size and weights
• Problem solving

Reading and Language Areas

Your child will be provided with a print rich environment and exposed to a variety of language experiences. Circle times are filled with posing questions and opportunities for children to freely express themselves. Children are asked to attach descriptions to their work and talk about their activities. Teachers ask children their opinions and use their ideas in curriculum planning. The type of language and reading concepts your child will participate in:

• Use of fine motor skills
• Use of symbols in art and drawing
• Understanding their own experiences
• Dramatic play with a variety of props
• Circle time and story telling
• Reading with adults

Physical Development

Your child will also have wonderful opportunities to develop physically. We have a large variety of indoor and outdoor equipment that enhances physical development throughout the day. You will see children participating in the following activities:

• Tricycle riding
• Running, climbing, and jumping
• Sand play, digging and constructing
• Music and movement

Milestones to be focused upon in the Jr. Preschool experience:

• Lengthen attention span
• Enjoy reading and storytelling
• Memorization of songs
• Differentiate objects (apples and oranges)
• Effectively begin to communicate with adults
• Show persistence in solving problems
• Predict routines and know what comes next in a sequence
• Can complete puzzles
• Shows interest in counting
• Increase in cooperative play

Jr. Preschool routines include hellos and good-byes, diapering and toileting, eating and mealtimes, sleeping and nap time, and getting dressed somewhat independently. Often, toilet training begins in this classroom, but teachers take their cues from the children and their parents. Independence is reached sometime between this room and the Pre-K classroom on an individual schedule, not one imposed by teachers or the center. Mealtimes in the Jr. Preschool room are family-style where children sit in small groups at low tables. This is a time when we encourage the use of utensils and manners. Teachers take this opportunity to model healthy eating habits and friendly lunch conversations. Jr. Preschool children are continually encouraged to be more and more independent as they prepare for the Preschool classroom that follows.