What Will My Child Learn?

The Weekday Preschool is a ministry of Falmouth Baptist Church where young children can learn through play. The role of the Weekday Preschool is to provide a Christian environment that will nurture the child’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual development.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD LEARN?

Your preschooler will be learn about God, self, others, the natural world, family, and community. We also introduce the children to the alphabet, numbers, colors and shapes. Children learn best through making their own choices during playtimes, through art activities which emphasize the child’s own creativity, through interest centers such as home living and nature, through projects which foster curiosity, through games and musical activities, and through stories, poems and songs.

HOW DO YOU TEACH ABOUT GOD?

We teach that God made us and loves us. Through conversation during center time, teachers model thankfulness to God (for our hands, for example), and encourage children to wonder about and take delight in all of God’s creation. Classes pray together at snack time and have a daily Bible Story.

Teachers treat each child with respect as a unique creation of God. They know that the best way for children to learn to accept God’s love for them is to be with loving and caring adults.

CURRICULUM

Our program uses as a basis the Wee Learn Curriculum Guide. The curriculum is developed around themes that provide opportunities for children to learn about God’s world and how to live in it. The day-to-day curriculum will be planned by the teachers and approved by the Preschool Director and will be compatible with the philosophy of the school. Each of our classrooms is designed as a learning center, offering students a unique “hands-on” learning adventure.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL DAY LIKE?

Centers, Arts, Crafts and Writing (4’s)

Clean-up

Circle Time (calendar, weather and story)

Snack (prayer)

Quiet Time (book look)

Outside Recess

Music and Bible Story

WHAT DO CHILDREN DO IN CENTERS?

In Blocks children might drive cars and trucks through cotton ball “snow,” build a tower from blocks with friends, play with a dollhouse, or build a zoo.

Activities like these help them:

·  Become more aware of size and shape;

·  Learn concepts of smaller and higher;

·  Improve eye-hand coordination;

·  Experience accomplishment;

·  Try out their ideas;

·  Solve problems;

·  Work together.

In Music children might strum the auto harp, use shakers to match sounds, sing, and play rhythm instruments.

Activities like these help them:

·  Respond to rhythm;

·  Develop listening skills;

·  Learn the meaning of fast, slow, high, low, loud & soft;

·  Express emotions;

·  Build relationships as they play together.

In Puzzles children might string beads, sort buttons by color and size, practice tying, snapping, and zipping, screw lids on different size jars, match pictures of mother and baby animals, or lace sewing cards.

Activities like these help them:

·  Recognize patterns;

·  Analyze problems;

·  Learn to concentrate;

·  Become more aware of detail, size, and shape;

·  Practice making choices;

·  Practice fine-motor skills;

·  Follow directions.

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In Art children might paint with a sponge or a string, make leaf rubbings, practice using scissors, finger paint, pound clay, or paint at an easel. Activities like these help them:

·  Take pleasure and gain confidence in their creativity;

·  Become more coordinated;

·  Develop color awareness;

·  Master new skills;

·  Relieve tension.

In Books children might look at photo albums, share a book with a friend, listen to a teacher read, find a Bible verse marker in the Bible, or listen to a story on tape or CD.

Activities like these help them:

·  Learn that words can be written down;

·  Expand their store of information;

·  Develop a desire to learn to read;

·  Appreciate a variety of art styles;

·  Stretch their imaginations;

·  Enjoy being together;

·  Relax.

In Nature/Science children might examine shells, make play-dough, plant seeds, make shadow pictures, experiment with things that sink and float, use magnets, observe bugs, or pour sand.

Activities like these help them:

·  Answer their questions about the world;

·  Test their ideas and draw conclusions;

·  Develop concepts of wet, dry, dark, and light;

·  Appreciate God’s creation.

In Active Play children might walk on a balance beam, rock in a rocking boat, slide, toss a beanbag, or crawl through a tunnel.

Activities like these help them:

·  Relieve tension;

·  Practice balancing and motor skills;

·  Learn to take turns;

·  Exercise their large muscles;

·  Interact spontaneously with other children.

In Home Living children might rock a doll, type, wash dishes, shop for groceries, try on costumes and make a bus with chairs.

Activities like these help them:

·  Learn about their senses;

·  Practice adult roles;

·  Value their families.

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·  Come learn and play with us!