Curriculum

The learning and behavioral objectives for children enrolled at All Saints Catholic Preschool is stated below. It is realized that each child develops at his/her own rate as well as having different learning styles. Each child is a unique individual and will be treated in that manner. These guidelines serve as a sequential guide for developmentally age appropriate learning. It is not intended that each child attain the area of concentration, but that each child has been exposed to the learning and behavioral objectives. The staff of All Saints Catholic Preschool respects the right of each child in learning when he/she is ready.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THREE/FOUR YEAR OLDS

Cognitive Skills

Exposure to numbers 1 through 10
Exposure to eight basic colors: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black and white
Exposure to four shapes: circle, square, rectangle, and triangle

Language Development

Putting words together to form simple sentences
Following simple directions (one step)
Using words to describe feelings
Using words to problem solve

Pre-Reading

Recognizing their name in written form
Introduced to opposites
Counting from 1 to 10

Small Motor Skills

Learning to hold and use scissors correctly
Learning to hold pencils/crayons/markers in the correct position
Doing puzzles (6–10 pieces)
Stringing Beads or small objects

Large Motor Skills

Hop on two feet
Run
Bounce a ball
Throw a ball
Walk up and down stairs alternating feet

Self Help Skills

Learning to dress self including putting on shoes
Learning to pick up after self (after activities and projects)
Hanging up coat and backpack
Learning to use the bathroom properly/washing and drying hands

Social/Emotional Skills

Learning to explore all activities
Learning to make choices
Show and express feelings
Using words to express what he/she needs or wants
Learning to share
Learning to participate in group activities
Learns to resolve conflicts using words

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE FOUR/FIVE YEAR OLDS

Cognitive Skills

Exposure to all shapes
Exposure to all colors
Exposure to numbers 1 through 25

Language Development

Putting words together to form sentences
Learn to speak in five to seven word sentences
Following simple three to five step directions
Using words (adjectives) to describe feelings
Using words to problem solve

Pre-Reading Skills

Exposure to all the alphabet letters, upper and lower case
Learning sounds of letters
Printing of name
Recognition of first and last name in written form
Exposure to simple sequencing of events
Understanding opposites
Learning to rhyme words

Small Motor Skills

Correct hold and usage of crayons/pencils
Correct hold and usage of scissors, being able to turn the paper
Stringing beads or small objects
Doing puzzles (8 - 15 pieces)

Large Motor Skills

Balancing on one foot
Hopping on one foot
Throwing and catching a ball
Kick a ball
Walking a straight line
Climbing stairs using alternating feet
Attempt to skip
Jump getting both feet off the ground

Social/Emotional Skills

Explore all classroom activities
Being able to approach new experiences willingly
Being able to show/express feelings
Use words to express needs/wants
Learning to share
Enter into play with two or more children
Enter comfortably into group activities
Learn to make own choices
Problem solve with words

Self Help Skills

Learn to zip, buckle and snap
Cleaning up after self (after projects/activities)
Hanging up coat and backpack
Using the bathroom properly/washing hands

The following activities will serve as a resource in developing weekly lesson plans for the children who are enrolled in All Saints Catholic Preschool. Activities provided will allow the children to work and play according to their developmental needs.

Each child will be given opportunities to use their skills of imagination, language, problem solving, creativity, motor skills, and laughter to learn in warm, nurturing Catholic Christian environment.

As indicated on the daily schedule, quiet and active activities will be available for the children throughout their class session. Children will be involved in individual, small, and large group learning.

Each area listed below will include possible activities to enhance the child’s learning environment and the developmental goals.

CREATIVE ART

Possible Activities: ~ easel painting

~ free experiencing of media

(printing, collages, stamping, etc.)

~ play dough

Developmental Goals: Opportunities for free expression using various media.

Exploring the environment through the use of colors, shapes and textures.

Encourage the “process” of the activity.

BUILDING BLOCK /CONSTRUCTION

Possible Activities: ~ free exploration of large blocks (within block area

add transportation vehicles, animals, wooden people figures}

~ free exploration of small blocks and manipulatives

Developmental Goals: Encourage development of small and large muscles, self-expression

in creating structures, and group social skills of cooperation,

sharing and “using words”.

DRAMATIC PLAY

Possible Activities: ~ create a child-size home environment

~ create role–playing environments

(post office, dr. office, flower shop, etc.)

Developmental Goals: To encourage PLAY and the opportunity to pretend.

Use skills of cooperation, language, and kindness in sharing ideas

of role-playing with others.

SCIENCE

Possible Activities: ~ incorporate the five senses in exploring nature

~ concept development (sink and float, etc.)

Developmental Goals: Use skills of observation, manipulation, explorationand problem solving. Learn through discovery about the work.

LISTENING

Possible Activities: ~ listening to adult read a story

~ listening to a recorded story on tape

~ creative drama - act out familiar stories

Developmental Goals: To develop good listening skills, exposure to children’s literature, and opportunity retell stories in own words. Encourage cooperation.

LANGUAGE

Possible Activities: ~ group games introducing children verbally to

colors, shapes, positional words, and general vocabulary

~ children share verbally about pictures in a wordless picture book

~ dictated language-experience stories

Developmental Goals: To become familiar with words, classify similar objects by name,

use words to form sentences, share ideas verbally with one another.

SENSORY

Possible Activities: ~ water table (measuring, pouring, etc.)

~ dry materials (cornmeal, rice, sand, etc.)

Developmental Goals: To stimulate the senses of touch, sight, smell

and sound in exploring different types of materials.

MUSIC

Possible Activities: ~ singing songs and finger plays

~ listening to recorded music

~ playing musical instruments

Developmental Goals: To encourage sensitivity to sounds in the environment, pitch,

melody, rhythm, and tone.

PRE-MATH

Possible Activities: ~ number/numeral “hands on” activities

(peg boards, puzzles, Legos)

~ patterning using shapes, colors, etc.

~ visual perception activities (lotto)

Developmental Goals: Introduce number recognition, one to one correspondence, visual discrimination using sizes, shapes and colors.

Develop eye-hand coordination.

PRE-READING

Possible Activities: ~ games introducing letters

~ rebus chart activities

~ left to right activities

~ sequencing

Developmental Goals: Introduce letters, sequence of events, classifying

objects, problem solving. Encourage the enjoyment of looking at

reading books.

MOTOR SKILLS

Possible activities: ~ small muscle (play dough, easel paint)

~ large muscle (running, jumping, ball bouncing)

~ non-competitive group games

Developmental Goals: To encourage the development of small and large muscles.

Develop the social skills of cooperation, taking turns,

and the skill of good listening.