Preschool Curriculum
SonLight Preschool welcomes you! Preschoolers are curious and love to experiment with their surroundings. SonLight takes a hands-on approach to learning. Children are exposed to many different materials and experiences throughout their day. Preschoolers learn through play. They will learn how to follow rules while playing fun games. Children will have opportunities to develop self-control. They will learn to negotiate and problem solve. They will develop a sense of confidence. All children in our program are exposed to teaching strategies that help them become successful learners. The most important part of our program is love. Children will feel loved by our staff and they will know that Jesus loves them very much.
Our classrooms provide many learning experiences using developmentally appropriate materials. Each class uses fun themes to introduce new concepts to your child. Some of our fun themes include insects, farming, the Rain Forest, the Wild West, dinosaurs, and Safari Hunts. We use prop boxes to introduce fun, creative materials to transform the classroom. Children will learn about God’s love through interactive Bible stories. The children will be exposed to many new songs and books throughout the year. Children will learn independence. Each week they will have the opportunity to have a ‘Job’ in the classroom. They will pour milk at lunch, be a door holder, light person, and line leader. This encourages responsibility and builds a positive self-esteem. Our classrooms are set up with several learning centers which give each child choices. All aspects of learning are incorporated in every center.
Our staff assesses your child in play throughout the year. Formal assessments are sent home in January and May. Children in the pre-kindergarten classrooms will have a scheduled conference with the teacher and the director in January. However, you may schedule a conference at any time during the school year to assess your child’s progress.
We use the Brigance screening tool for our preschoolers. The screening takes approximately five-ten minutes and is done by the director. We must have parent permission before screening. The results of the screening are discussed with the families and teachers. The screenings allow us to provide the best curriculum for your child.
The curriculum includes the following:
-cutting with scissors
-finger plays & songs
-listening skills
-manners
-sharing
-gluing
-colors (primary & secondary)
-shape recognition
-counting objects
-alphabet recognition with beginning sounds
-social skills
-science exploration
-independence
-beginning writing
-reading (color words)
-number recognition
Our Learning Centers consist of science, writing, art, library, math, dramatic play, blocks, music, and sensory table.
Science-This center encourages curiosity and creativity. Children will plant seeds, perform simple science experiments, and experiment with different materials. Children will learn to make predictions. Children will organize by classifying, comparing, measuring, counting, and graphing objects. They will develop their language skills when describing how things look, touch, smell, sound, and taste. Children will develop eye-hand coordination while using tweezers and eye droppers.
Writing- We will expose children to many different sight words at this table. They will have the opportunity to write words and letters using markers, pencils, magnetic letters, and stamps. Our goal is to introduce writing while making it fun.
Art-The process of creating art is encouraged. Children will develop their small motor skills by tearing and cutting. Children will have an opportunity to create with paint, markers, crayons, stencils, confetti, glitter, glue, and many other art materials. Children will be exposed to two dimensional and three dimensional art. Art allows children to express their own ideas and feelings. Children will learn to problem solve as they learn about cause and effect when they mix colors. Art will help children develop fine motor control needed for writing. Children will dictate to the teacher about their art to encourage language development.
Library Area- This area develops literacy skills and a love for books. Children can escape from the noise in the classroom to this quiet area and enjoy looking at books. Teachers will encourage children to find the letters in their name in their favorite storybooks. Children will learn new words and their meaning. They will be exposed to sequencing, number recognition, counting, colors, shapes, and phonetics. They will learn to make predictions. Children will learn empathy for those who have challenges and struggles that make life difficult.
Math- Children will use counting bears to match colors and begin counting skills. They will have many activities to encourage number recognition. Counting with the calendar during group time will develop counting skills. This center develops eye-hand coordination and promotes fine motor skills. Children will be exposed to patterning, sequencing, and classifying.
Dramatic Play- This area inspires creativity. We use prop boxes to transform our dramatic play area into a kitchen, post office, florist, fire station, bakery, safari, and more. Children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and imitate. They will button and snap clothing, use play money to purchase food at the grocery, and count the animals on the safari. They will learn about role-playing. Literacy props are included to encourage language development.
Blocks-This area provides for open-ended exploration. Children will use their imagination to construct and create different structures. This area encourages cooperation. Children must work together to achieve the end product. Children will learn to follow safety rules. Children will learn about sizes, shapes,numbers, patterns, weights, order, area, and length. Children will develop their writing skills when making signs for their structures. They will increase their vocabulary as they learn new words for their buildings.
Music-Children will be exposed to many styles of music including classical, Christian, country, and seasonal. All music is age appropriate. Children will develop their gross motor skills while dancing with lummi sticks, scarves, streamers, and BoomWhackers. Children will learn to follow directions. They will learn number concepts as they clap their hands and stomp their feet. They will develop social skills as they play musical games that require cooperation.
Sensory- Sensory materials can be soothing and fun. Children will play in wet sand and scoop water. They will make and play in bubble solution. Children will learn about volume and capacity as they fill empty containers. They will discover what sinks and what floats. Language development occurs as they learn new words. Children will classify, compare, measure, and problem solve.
Outdoors-Outdoors is important for a child’s health and well-being. Our playground offers exercise and fun. Children can ride a bike, slide, run, climb, jump, and hop. The outdoor area allows children to take safe risks as they try out new skills. Children will learn to follow the safety rules of the playground. Children will learn how to share and take turns. Children will paint with water and blow bubbles. They will observe God’s World and all His creations. Children will collect nature items. They will plant flowers and bulbs to see how long they will take to grow.
Our goal is to build your child’s self -confidence and love of learning. You may schedule a conference with the teacher any time throughout the year.
SonLight Preschool welcomes you! Preschoolers are curious and love to experiment with their surroundings. SonLight takes a hands-on approach to learning. Children are exposed to many different materials and experiences throughout their day. Preschoolers learn through play. They will learn how to follow rules while playing fun games. Children will have opportunities to develop self-control. They will learn to negotiate and problem solve. They will develop a sense of confidence. All children in our program are exposed to teaching strategies that help them become successful learners. The most important part of our program is love. Children will feel loved by our staff and they will know that Jesus loves them very much.
Our classrooms provide many learning experiences using developmentally appropriate materials. Each class uses fun themes to introduce new concepts to your child. Some of our fun themes include insects, farming, the Rain Forest, the Wild West, dinosaurs, and Safari Hunts. We use prop boxes to introduce fun, creative materials to transform the classroom. Children will learn about God’s love through interactive Bible stories. The children will be exposed to many new songs and books throughout the year. Children will learn independence. Each week they will have the opportunity to have a ‘Job’ in the classroom. They will pour milk at lunch, be a door holder, light person, and line leader. This encourages responsibility and builds a positive self-esteem. Our classrooms are set up with several learning centers which give each child choices. All aspects of learning are incorporated in every center.
Our staff assesses your child in play throughout the year. Formal assessments are sent home in January and May. Children in the pre-kindergarten classrooms will have a scheduled conference with the teacher and the director in January. However, you may schedule a conference at any time during the school year to assess your child’s progress.
We use the Brigance screening tool for our preschoolers. The screening takes approximately five-ten minutes and is done by the director. We must have parent permission before screening. The results of the screening are discussed with the families and teachers. The screenings allow us to provide the best curriculum for your child.
The curriculum includes the following:
-cutting with scissors
-finger plays & songs
-listening skills
-manners
-sharing
-gluing
-colors (primary & secondary)
-shape recognition
-counting objects
-alphabet recognition with beginning sounds
-social skills
-science exploration
-independence
-beginning writing
-reading (color words)
-number recognition
Our Learning Centers consist of science, writing, art, library, math, dramatic play, blocks, music, and sensory table.
Science-This center encourages curiosity and creativity. Children will plant seeds, perform simple science experiments, and experiment with different materials. Children will learn to make predictions. Children will organize by classifying, comparing, measuring, counting, and graphing objects. They will develop their language skills when describing how things look, touch, smell, sound, and taste. Children will develop eye-hand coordination while using tweezers and eye droppers.
Writing- We will expose children to many different sight words at this table. They will have the opportunity to write words and letters using markers, pencils, magnetic letters, and stamps. Our goal is to introduce writing while making it fun.
Art-The process of creating art is encouraged. Children will develop their small motor skills by tearing and cutting. Children will have an opportunity to create with paint, markers, crayons, stencils, confetti, glitter, glue, and many other art materials. Children will be exposed to two dimensional and three dimensional art. Art allows children to express their own ideas and feelings. Children will learn to problem solve as they learn about cause and effect when they mix colors. Art will help children develop fine motor control needed for writing. Children will dictate to the teacher about their art to encourage language development.
Library Area- This area develops literacy skills and a love for books. Children can escape from the noise in the classroom to this quiet area and enjoy looking at books. Teachers will encourage children to find the letters in their name in their favorite storybooks. Children will learn new words and their meaning. They will be exposed to sequencing, number recognition, counting, colors, shapes, and phonetics. They will learn to make predictions. Children will learn empathy for those who have challenges and struggles that make life difficult.
Math- Children will use counting bears to match colors and begin counting skills. They will have many activities to encourage number recognition. Counting with the calendar during group time will develop counting skills. This center develops eye-hand coordination and promotes fine motor skills. Children will be exposed to patterning, sequencing, and classifying.
Dramatic Play- This area inspires creativity. We use prop boxes to transform our dramatic play area into a kitchen, post office, florist, fire station, bakery, safari, and more. Children learn to negotiate, cooperate, and imitate. They will button and snap clothing, use play money to purchase food at the grocery, and count the animals on the safari. They will learn about role-playing. Literacy props are included to encourage language development.
Blocks-This area provides for open-ended exploration. Children will use their imagination to construct and create different structures. This area encourages cooperation. Children must work together to achieve the end product. Children will learn to follow safety rules. Children will learn about sizes, shapes,numbers, patterns, weights, order, area, and length. Children will develop their writing skills when making signs for their structures. They will increase their vocabulary as they learn new words for their buildings.
Music-Children will be exposed to many styles of music including classical, Christian, country, and seasonal. All music is age appropriate. Children will develop their gross motor skills while dancing with lummi sticks, scarves, streamers, and BoomWhackers. Children will learn to follow directions. They will learn number concepts as they clap their hands and stomp their feet. They will develop social skills as they play musical games that require cooperation.
Sensory- Sensory materials can be soothing and fun. Children will play in wet sand and scoop water. They will make and play in bubble solution. Children will learn about volume and capacity as they fill empty containers. They will discover what sinks and what floats. Language development occurs as they learn new words. Children will classify, compare, measure, and problem solve.
Outdoors-Outdoors is important for a child’s health and well-being. Our playground offers exercise and fun. Children can ride a bike, slide, run, climb, jump, and hop. The outdoor area allows children to take safe risks as they try out new skills. Children will learn to follow the safety rules of the playground. Children will learn how to share and take turns. Children will paint with water and blow bubbles. They will observe God’s World and all His creations. Children will collect nature items. They will plant flowers and bulbs to see how long they will take to grow.
Our goal is to build your child’s self -confidence and love of learning. You may schedule a conference with the teacher any time throughout the year.