Our
Curriculum is
Montessori-inspired, incorporating the environment and materials that are
conducive to a child-led maximized, developmentally appropriate learning
experience for each child. Kindergarten
Readiness-- and beyond-- is our goal!
Choice Play Time is the core of our
curriculum. During this time, children
rotate around the classroom to the different stations, playing alone or with
another child there. I observe them,
taking cues for their interests and abilities, and I then direct them to
activities that best encourage learning and kindergarten readiness skills for
each individual child.
Our
daily schedule (see below) is very
flexible to allow for child-led exploration, unplanned events or other learning
opportunities that may arise throughout the day. Time slots may expand or
contract according to the children’s interests in the activities.
We go Outside every day to play in the
backyard (weather permitting) -- or on the screened-in deck on rainy days. We encourage the children to explore and to be
“little scientists” when we take our nature hikes in the backyard woods, which
may lead to some child-led research when we return inside! Gardening or outdoor
water sprinkler play is seasonal and notification of these activities will be
given in advance, as a change of clothes and towels will be necessary!
Music & Movement may be done on the
deck if it is not too hot. Sometimes, on special reward days, we will take a
large blanket on the grass, or on the deck, and have a lunch time picnic! In summer when it is too hot, Outdoor time
may swap with some other morning activity time slot.
Media. We have a ‘movie’ twice a month,
usually on a Thursday morning. This is one of the many fabulous PBS preschool children’s
programs that I have pre-recorded on my DVR. We watch it after Circle Time and have morning
snack while watching the movie. We have
a short discussion afterwards about what we have learned from the program. This
encourages thinking and analytical skills and engagement, as opposed to passive
absorption of media.
Some of the Choice Play Time stations
are:
Pillows & Sorting Toys (hand-eye
coordination; shapes and noises; cars & trucks; this is also the place for
“tummy time” for babies, or a soft and quiet spot for older children who need a
little break);
Tree-House & Doll Family (manual
dexterity, speech development; imaginative play);
Reading Library (books—most of the
children’s classics are here; maps and globe and exposure to various foreign languages
here, too);
Art Easel (independence &
confidence is the goal; opportunities to learn about color, story illustration;
develop hand-eye coordination; writing readiness and more);
Sand and Water Play Table (develops
fine motor skills; pouring and scooping; volumes and measures);
Dramatic Play (Role Play): Kitchen/Shopping/Dress-Up/Tool &
Work Bench (engaging in role-playing encourages creative expression and
imaginative play, speech development & conversation skills; taking turns);
Architectural Blocks/Charts/Wood
Geometry Pattern Blocks & Boards (spatial concepts; geometry; hand-eye
coordination; Math readiness. Studies have shown that Architectural &
Construction play in preschool years significantly increases the child’s Math
scores in later years);
Math-U-See (Mathematics concepts of
quantity; one to one correspondence; counting; skip-counting; addition,
subtraction);
Table Time with Montessori Method
materials such as Animal Classification Puzzles, various cup trays, seashells,
etc (manual dexterity; organization skills; spatial relationships; Science and
Math readiness);
Writing Road to Reading (learning the
alphabet and their sounds; tracing letters; writing and reading readiness)
Circle Time is group time, in which we
discuss the theme of the day (usually something seasonal or related to
Nature/Science or to Family/Social Studies). We have a short lesson or story,
then have discussion. We may either end the Circle Time or begin the Circle
Time with Music & Movement.
“World Travel” Time is a story read
aloud which takes place in another land or time. The Jet Set Kids have to
travel, after all! Children learn about
geography and different cultures, as well as how to quietly listen. Nap time follows. J
The
Jet Set Kids Philosophy
Our philosophy of early childhood education is that the
parents are the child’s primary educators. What we do here only supplements
what you teach your child by your relationship and interactions with him/her at
home and elsewhere. We are therefore
open to any and all suggestions, especially that which strengthens the family’s
culture and values. I also encourage parents to be involved as much as possible
with their child’s learning from an early age. This sets the tone for later
school years as well as strengthens the family bonds. Ask your child questions about what he is
learning at school. Regular family sit-down dinner time is a perfect time for
these discussions! If you want ideas to
help with this, feel free to ask me!
I also encourage parents to drop in any
time to see what their little ones are up to.
Children love to show off to Mommy and Daddy what they do all day.
However, if you must arrive during Nap Time, please take care not to disturb
the other children. Thank you!
Children
love to show Teacher and their school friends their home life! For this reason,
we encourage families to send photos of the child with his/her parents,
siblings, pets, home, etc. I will make a
photo album for each child so that he/she can refer to it at will throughout
the day. This helps build self-esteem, confidence and independence in the child
--all part of helping our little Jet Set Kids to “take off” and become the best
that they can be!