Early Childhood Center
Our Early Childhood Center is a
self-contained facility including 3 classrooms, lunchroom, restrooms, and
playground. It is located in the lower level of the Convent, just
south of our main school building and encompasses 3 & 4 yr. old preschool as
well as Kindergarten. Children visit the main building for Specials
instruction as listed below.
Preschool
Preschool Philosophy:
Christ the King Catholic Preschool
curriculum incorporates the academic, emotional, social, physical, and
spiritual needs of the young child. The aim is to nurture and teach the
whole child and to encourage the attributes for life-long learning. In order
to reach this goal, a developmentally appropriate curriculum has been
devised. It includes the following attributes:
Active:
Hands-on use of manipulative is the focus, rather than paper and pencil
work.
Personally Meaningful:
The program builds on what the child already knows.
Experimental:
The child learns by doing, talking, and exploring new ideas.
Energetic:
The teacher encourages curiosity and delight in order to motivate the child.
Interactive:
Children are encouraged to work together rather than competing against each
other.
Explorative:
We invite the child to discover ideas and principles through the
manipulation of objects.
Holistic:
The program is integrated rather than broken into separated subjects.
Constructive:
The child is encouraged to use his/her imagination and creative powers in a
nonjudgmental atmosphere.
Children vary in their abilities, each
bringing a unique set of background experiences into the early childhood
classroom. Each child is a unique individual with his or her own needs. Our
developmentally appropriate program will meet the needs of each child. Our
approach allows for cooperative learning groups, individualized activities,
high interest learning centers, and hands-on experiences for each child. Our
curriculum provides the opportunity for each child to experience success on
his/her own terms.
The brief overview of our
Preschool Day:
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8:00-8:40
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Center Time: Children work in
various centers such as housekeeping, play-dough area, puzzle
center, math center, block center, and writing center.
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8:40-9:00
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Circle time: Children participate in
finger plays and rhymes, calendar time, review colors, shapes,
letters, and numbers.
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9:00-9:30
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Project of the Day: The daily
project is a craft or hands-on lesson related to the topic that we
are currently studying. It can be thematic or seasonal and changes
every day.
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9:30-9:50
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Snack time and individual “reading”
of storybooks on the rug.
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9:50-10:15
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Outdoor Recess.
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10:15-10:30
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Music, story, prepare to dismiss.
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The same routine is
followed for the 4-year-old program that runs 12 pm - 2:45 pm Monday through
Thursday. However, there are more structured learning activities including:
Alphabet Stories Series:
This series focuses on each letter and sound of the alphabet.
Class Books:
Throughout the year we will create a number of class books. Each book is
based on a unit of study. Every child has his/her own page in each book.
Individual Bible:
Based on the series “God Loves Me”, each child will create their own Bible.
Writing Journal:
Beginning in January, each child will complete a writing journal based on
specific writing prompt.
Harcourt Math Series:
This series focuses on hands-on activities that help Preschoolers form the
beginnings of mathematical knowledge. Each child also receives an activity
lesson book.
There is also a Literature for
Little Ones program available to all students, ages 3 and 4, which
is held on Fridays from either 8:00 –10:30 or 12:00-2:45. This is an
alternative for those who would like an additional day of schooling. Each
day’s activity is based on a specific children’s book.
