Minnow Program

3-4 Year Olds (3 years old by October 1st)

       This class is designed for 3 year olds and young 4 year olds. Our goal for this group includes continuing with Tadpole goals in addition to providing children with more challenging activities to increase their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. Children are provided with many opportunities to understand how reading and writing are useful before they actually learn letter and sounds. The Minnow curriculum includes a "letter of the week" program, in which letters and sounds are presented at a conceptual and introductory level. Their environment will be rich in print - objects labeled, and opportunities for writing will be presented. Children will dictate stories, listen to stories, and understand that written print carries a message. Teaching will be done through themes and will be conducted via hands-on activities in areas such as art, block building, puppetry, music and movement, and dramatic play. Worksheet will be introduced at times but but do not provide the same value ...Learning occurs best when children are actively involved!

Concepts and activities introduced in the Minnow Curriculum will include:

• Cognitive - Primary/Secondary colors, shape and number recognition, patterning
• Communication - Sharing ideas, storytelling, singing songs, reciting alphabet
• Social - Small group activities which foster cooperation and friendship, both child and teacher initiated
• Play Habits - Taking turns, clean-up responsibilities, following rules, and classroom routine
• Gross Motor - Running, jumping, catching, outdoor play
• Fine Motor - Cutting, stringing beads, puzzles, painting, and writing name

In this class you will find children:

• Beginning to find interest in the world around them
• Attention span lengthening
• Beginning to share and participate in cooperative play
• Learning to listen and follow directions
• Confident to try new skills and eager to help
• Learning at a very fast pace

In this class you will find teachers:

• Warmly greeting each child, letting them know they are special and unique
• Helping children learn to solve problems by praising, encouraging independence, accepting and reassuring behavior; Comforting children who are distressed
• Supporting children as they attempt new tasks; guiding students but not interfering
• Giving children small jobs to do, encouraging responsibility
• Observing children during daily activities and documenting their interests
• Meeting the individual needs of students
• Genuinely interested in what children are doing and how they are feeling
• Having fun and enjoying their time guiding young children

For more information or to register,
contact Director Tracy Maccariella at 609-267-8763