Starfish Program

Pre-Kindergarten Program (4 years old by October 1st)
Must be attending Kindergarten the following Year

       This class is for 4 and 5 year old children who will be going to Kindergarten the following year. Our goal for this program includes continuing with Minnow goals in addition to extending children's learning and competence in readiness for Kindergarten. Concepts and activities introduced and reinforced in this curriculum include language and literacy activities that involve children in a meaningful way by drawing pictures, sharing information at circle time, and dictating stories. Letter recognition, letter sounds, and math skills will be presented in many hands on activities integrated throughout the day. Children will be exploring nature and science through observing and actually participating in experiments and recording results. They will explore environmental awareness and will learn the importance of taking care of our world. Children will be given opportunities to express their creativity and imagination through art, music, dramatics, and storytelling. Concepts and skills will be presented through thematic units and special themed days will be celebrated. Children at this level will be encouraged to work towards being self-sufficient while building their self-confidence in their abilities as they prepare for Kindergarten.

Concepts and activities introduced in the Starfish Curriculum will include:

• Cognitive - Letter and number recognition, mathematical thinking such as: sorting, measuring, comparing and graphing
• Communication - Sharing ideas, storytelling, singing songs language experience through journaling
• 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, hopping, catching, outdoor play
• Fine Motor - Cutting effectively, puzzles, finger plays, writing, playdough, coloring, building

In this class you will find children:

• Interested in games with rules and curious about reading
• Beginning to distinguish between fantasy and reality
• Sharing waitng for turns, settling own disagreements with peers
• Playing in cooperative play with peers and often playing on a storyline
• Improving in eye-hand coordination with preference for handedness established
• Lengthening in attention span; Concentrating for longer periods of time

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