4 Year Olds and 5 Year Olds
Welcome to Pre-K 3!
About the Class and Classroom
We emphasize learning through play. Our room is set up with well-defined play centers which promotes child-directed activities, independence, and fosters decision making. The centers include art, dramatic play, home center, blocks, manipulatives, puzzles, book corner, science and discovery, a computer station, and a writing station. The toys, games and books are switched often to provide diversity and maintain interest.
Our Goal
Our goal is to provide a nurturing environment that is developmentally appropriate so the children feel secure in themselves as they broaden their horizons. One of our main priorities is that everyone feels comfortable with their new teacher, their classmates and the daily routine. There will be plenty of fun times, games, singing, arts and crafts and other projects. We want to thoroughly prepare your student for kindergarten.
Curriculum
We will discover all areas of study including math, science, social studies, music, history, geography, and language arts. We will begin exploring and learning basic phonics concepts including letter recognition and letter sounds, simple blending, emergent reading, emergent writing exercises, fundamental mathematics, basic geography, history, and diversity. Circle time will consist of movement songs, group discussions, show-and-tell (when listed on the lesson plan), calendar, weather, letter and word of the week, book(s), and theme-related group activities.
Lunch and Snacks
Lunch and snacks are served in the classroom Family-style. The children are encouraged to sit properly, use table manners, try new foods, and to cleanup after themselves. Just like at home, sitting together for meal time is a great way to bond and socialize with each other. The children then may ask to be excused from the table. If your child has food allergies, feel free to bring a healthy alternative. Don’t forget that TOG is a No Nuts school. After lunch children have the opportunity to go to the bathroom, wash their hands and get ready for naptime. Snacks and lunch are included in your tuition.
About Nap Time
Naptime is right after lunch each day. We ask that you send a fitted crib sheet, a small blanket and/or a small pillow that will fit nicely into their cubbies. Lovies (naptime friends) are okay to bring from home as long as they are stuffed animals or baby dolls that don’t talk or make noise. We turn on relaxing music to help the children rest-whatever helps them feel comfortable. Those children who wake up early or do not tend to sleep during naptime will be allowed to look at books or do a quiet activity on their rest mat.
Outdoor Play (Recess)
Outdoor play is an important part of your child’s development. Recess is scheduled twice a day, weather permitting. Because we are very active, we would like the children to dress comfortably. Please understand that your child might get dirty from time to time. Washing hands and faces is always stressed, but send your child in clothes you are not concerned about getting soiled. Please have your child wear closed-toe shoes to protect their sensitive feet and to allow better movement on the playgrounds. Also, be sure to send your child to school dressed appropriately for the weather, i.e. short sleeves on hot days and a coat, hat and gloves on cold days. On red ozone alert days or extremely high or low temperatures, recess will be canceled and replaced with a gross motor activity indoors.
Guidance Used in the Class
Our goal in guidance is to teach the children self-management and impulse control. When an inappropriate behavior occurs, we first talk with the student and have them explain what the appropriate behavior is. We then model the correct actions with the child. If the child is still acting inappropriately, then we will redirect the child to another area.
One of the biggest strategies we use is offering choices, which shows the children we respect their ability to think for themselves. Time-out is used as a last resort, and we individualize guidance strategies for each child and what works best in various situations.
Questions/Concerns
We have an open door policy at TOG, so please feel free to share any questions or concerns you may have.
Together we can help your children achieve their full potential and be happy little people on the road to becoming well-adjusted and successful adults. Thank you for entrusting our teachers with your most precious possession… your children. We pledge to always take excellent care of them, just as if they were our own!
We’re looking forward to having your Pre-K 3 child join our class!