Early Childhood Classroom

Curriculum: Early Childhood Division

(Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten, Kindergarten)

The early childhood Center (ECC) incorporates a healthy blend of work and play with a variety of activities and experiences allowing the children to develop greater confidence, independence and self-esteem. The nurturing environment empowers the children to move freely and make choices.  Montessori materials and other specifically designed materials allow the teachers to teach math, writing and reading readiness skills in both hands-on and teacher-directed lessons. Questioning, observing and exploring are also encouraged as the ECC children acquire a strong foundation of knowledge and skills preparing them for the challenges of their more formal education. Children in ECC spend time every week working with special teachers in music, physical education, Spanish and library. An essential component of each day is the emphasis on the life skills, practiced in chapel, the classrooms, learning centers, lunchroom, and the playground.  Some of the activities that make the ECC unique are:

All ECC children:

  • Participate in daily chapel
  • Celebrate their birthday by baking and sharing their own "healthy" cake
  • Participate in enchanting Christmas and grade level musical programs
  • Participate in Field Day, which is planned and staffed by the seventh graders
  • Participate in the Buddy program
  • Participate in a variety of Cultural Arts events
  • Have the option of staying for lunch (Lunch Bunch); Preschool and Prekindergarten children can also participate in an afternoon session (A-Team) on a weekly, daily, or drop-in basis

Some classroom highlights include:

Grade Level Highlights

Toddler (Age 2.5 - 3 years)

  • Positive, happy, beginning school experience
  • Third Grade Buddies
  • Teacher guided lessons and independent “work” to stimulate order and control, repetition, fine motor coordination and intellectual motivation.
  • Christmas musical performance
  • Weekly Music, PE and Library classes

Preschool (3- 4 year olds)

  • Fourth grade buddies
  • Learning centers include: Art, writing, sensory, science, math, puzzles/games, Montessori - practical life, dramatic play, woodworking, block play, godly play, reading, puppet and computer.
  • Second Step Curriculum - enhance social/emotional learning
  • Christmas and Preschool musical performances
  • Weekly PE, Music, Spanish and Library classes

Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 year olds)

  • Fifth grade buddies
  • Learning centers include: Art, writing, sensory, science, math, puzzles/games, Montessori - practical life, dramatic play, woodworking, block play, godly play, reading and computer.
  • Thematic units - Holidays, Native Americans, Ocean/Marine Life, Space, Seasons
  • Christmas and Pre-K musical performances
  • Weekly PE, Music, Spanish, Library and Cooking classes

Kindergarten (5-6 year olds)

  • Sixth Grade Buddies
  • Thematic Units: “On the Go”, celebrate the 100th day of school, Africa, Apples
  • Christmas and Kindergarten musical performances
  • PE, Music, Spanish and Library classes twice a week
  • Weekly Art and Cooking classes