Learning takes place through exploration and interaction.  Children actively participate in the learning process.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

                Our Catholic School curriculum is based upon the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher.  Jesus used the real life experiences of His friends and students to teach them about God's love for them.   His teachings endure throughout the ages because He taught in this way.  In like fashion, a developmentally appropriate curriculum will enable young children to develop the skills required for lifelong learning.

            You, as a parent, can expect the curriculum content to be designed to achieve long range goals for children in all domains- spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive.  The integrated curriculum allows learning primarily through play, themes, projects, learning centers, and activities that reflect the current interests of children.  The curriculum builds on what children already know, and fosters their acquisition of new concepts and skills.

            By taking advantage of a child's natural abilities, interests, and enthusiasm for learning, the curriculum can encompass fun, exciting, and educational needs.  Time is provided for sensory stimulation, fresh air, nourishment, and exercise.  Reasoning skills, decision making, problem solving, and technology are all integrated throughout the curriculum.

ACADEMIC GOALS

The Academic Goals of the St. Mary's School Early Childhood program includes but are not limited to, the following.

·          Practice living the teachings of Jesus Christ through role-playing, teacher 

                  modeling and  group activities such as prayer and discussion

·          Introduce and practice language concepts and new language through songs, finger  

                  plays, poetry and prayer

·          Practice letter and number recognition

·          Practice listening and following multi-step directions

·          Listen to the sounds that letters make

·          Practice fine motor skills

·          Introduce and practice early math skills

·          Play games and activities that practice large motor skills

·          Use a wide variety of materials when creating artwork

·          Introduce Science related topics

WHAT DO WE DO IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASS?

Circle Time:   A group gathering during which we share our ideas, plans, and observations.  Circle activities are designed to stimulate youngsters' thinking, enrich their social skills, and expand their attention spans.

Gross-motor  

Activity:          An opportunity to use their muscles-as well as their imaginations- as they engage in fun, healthy exercises such as running, jumping, and climbing.

Fine-motor    

Activity:          Activities involving the small-muscles and eye-hand coordination.

Art:                  Various mediums that allow youngsters to creatively express their thoughts and feelings.  Art will help with fine-motor skills and concept development in areas such as colors, shapes, and size.

Dramatic

Play:                Children express themselves, practice life skills, improve social skills, increase self-esteem, build vocabulary, and solve problems. 

Music:            Children explore sound, volume, tempo, and rhythm in music.  Music promotes listening skills, creative expression, and social skills.

Science:          Hands-on opportunities for observation, exploration, investigation, making predictions, and experimentation of science topics.

Sensory

Exploration    Experimentation with textures and properties of different substances, such as sand, water, oatmeal, snow, ice or other objects from nature.  This helps to promote development of other skills such as math, science and language.

Block play:     Many different concepts are experienced, such as shape and size discrimination, spatial relationships, number skills, balance, organization, cause and effect, and classification.  Cooperative play skills, problem solving, and creativity are also promoted.

Storytime:       A time to appreciate and enjoy literature.  Reading activities enhance children's vocabulary and comprehension skills and expands their knowledge base.

SCHEDULE

Please note that times are approximate and may be adjusted to accommodate a special event. The three-year-old class meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  The A.M. four-year-old class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.  The P.M. four-year-old class meets Monday through Friday afternoons.  Classes are cancelled if St. Mary’s School cancels school due to weather or emergency conditions.  (Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook.)  If St. Mary’s School is delayed, the Early Childhood Morning class is not delayed.

9:00 - 9:20/     Arrival: Greetings, morning transitions, structured free play in learning

12:30-12:50    centers.

9:20 - 9:40/     Gathering Time: Attendance, conversation and sharing of Show-n-Tell,

12:50- 1:10       personal news, prayer, flag, calendar, and introduction of the theme of the day, first story time.

9:40 - 10:30/   Teacher Directed Activity: Theme related art, language, math and/or science

1:10-2:00         activities, whole class lessons, center work with small groups, and/or individual work with the teacher.           

10:30 - 10:45/  Healthy Snack: Grace and socialization.

2:00-2:15

10:45 - 11:15/   Whole Group Activity:  Story time, enrichment activity, and/or music and

2:15-2:45          movement, outside free play.

11:15 - 11:30/   Gathering Time: Closing prayer/song and dismissal preparation.

2:45-3:00

11:30/3:00       Dismissal: Dismissal directly to parents and/or guardians according to school dismissal procedures.

REQUIREMENTS

Children must be three years old by Dec. 1 to enroll in the three-year-old program.  Children enrolling in the four-year-old program must be four years old by Dec. 1.  The following items are required at the time of registration:

·        Birth Certificate (with raised seal)

·        Immunization Record

·        Baptismal Certificate (where applicable)