Program
PreschoolIMAGINATION, INDEPENDENCE & EXPRESSION
The Preschool Program is specifically designed for 3 & 4 year olds, who are ready for a more structured curriculum. They are now part of a group of 10 children with one preschool teacher. The teacher creates Learning Experience Plans with a bit more structure and longer blocks of time for each activity. There are Music & Movement activities built directly into the daily classroom schedule. Circle time has increased as your child is able to focus longer as well as comfortably participate in group conversations. Preschool classrooms have an even wider variety of classroom learning centers where children may choose to participate in educational activities independently or with a small group of friends.
The Here We Learn® school readiness curriculum is utilized in all preschool classrooms. Children are encouraged to express themselves through art projects and creative illustrations. Visual letter and number recognition, as well as phonemic awareness, begins to develop. In a community of learners, children are encouraged to communicate and express ideas in many ways. They will continue to increase their vocabulary, begin to use simple pronouns, and use longer and more complex sentences. Children will learn important skills to help them successfully play and learn in a group setting which is important in kindergarten environments.
A Typical Preschool Day
ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES
Joining a stenciling activity or looking at a picture book about dinosaurs
MORNING SNACK
Fresh Pear Slices, Wheat Thins, 2% Milk
MORNING LESSON PLAN ACTIVITIES
Circle time: greeting activity, weather, calendar, songs & stories, creating a life-size self portrait cutout, building homemade snow igloos in the sensory table, riding a tricycle outside on the black top, participating in a karate class
LUNCH & AFTERNOON NAP
AFTERNOON SNACK
Cheddar Cheese, Sun Chips, and Water
AFTERNOON LESSON PLAN ACTIVITIES
Using number mats to count bear manipulatives, making a Main Street in the block area, drawing pictures for friends and family members, setting up a restaurant in dramatic play, Music & Movement activities, searching for leaves during outdoor playtime
DEPARTURE ACTIVITIES
Listening to a book on tape with a friend, practicing writing numbers, listening to the teacher read a story and predicting what will happen next, packing up to go home, and saying “See you tomorrow, my friends!”
Here We Learn®
Our Preschool Curriculum
The Here We Learn Preschool Curriculum focuses on four specific areas of development
PERSONAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Your preschooler will begin to show self-direction and be able to comfortably participate in a group. Your child will learn how to transition to different venues, such as the playground, and to different situations, such as lunchtime and quiet time. Preschoolers are taught to embrace and appreciate the differences among friends and to cooperate with peers. Even conflict resolution will be made into a fun activity!
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Your child will hop, jump, ride a tricycle (with a helmet, of course), move through an obstacle course, and enjoy many gross motor activities every day. Exercise is a fun and important part of your child’s day. Your child will also develop their fine motor skills by using child safe scissors, stringing beads, and using a small pitcher to pour their own water at snack.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Solving problems, repeating or creating patterns, comparing, quantifying and showing spatial awareness are all mathematical concepts your child will develop in our preschool classrooms. Questions and answers, conversations and stories are an important part of daily circle time. The skills of identifying letters, sometimes even words, will begin to emerge as your child builds a foundation for a lifetime of reading.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Elaborate block castles – complete with moat, knights and dragons – architecturally designed by a happy group of preschoolers are a common everyday occurrence. Your preschooler’s drawing skills will become more elaborate and detailed. Don’t be surprised if you catch your preschooler singing and dancing to their favorite songs!
Our Locations
Southington
Location: 1137 West Street Southington, CT 06489
Telephone: 860.628.7900
Fax: 860.628.3656
School Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30a to 6:00p
Colchester
Location: 111 Norwich Ave. Colchester, CT 06415
Telephone: 860.603.5005
Fax: 860.603.5147
School Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30a to 6:00p