Preschool Program
Our preschool adheres to a developmentally appropriate method of teaching. The program is applied in an age-appropriate manner and customized to the child’s level of development: socially, physically, cognitively, emotionally, and creatively. We provide a safe and nurturing environment that is stimulating and supportive to the growth of our students. It is through art, creative expression, and group projects that the students of the Pilgrim Preschool learn most successfully. As a precursor to our Junior Kindergarten program, the preschool program offers our preschoolers the guidance and instruction to flourish within future levels of education offered at Pilgrim School.
The preschool curriculum emphasizes the development of essential cognitive foundations within a context of meaningful hands-on activities and a positive, supportive environment. Our goal is to create and nurture independent thinkers and problem solvers. Development of essential foundations assures that the children in our care will be ready to meet the intellectual demands associated with formal schooling. Below are the areas in which foundations of learning are developed at Pilgrim School.
Our Preschool Curriculum
Reading Readiness
- Increase verbal and vocabulary skills
- Express ideas clearly
- Gain a love of literature
- Recall sequence of events
- Listen and follow directions
- Explore creativity and imagination
- Recognize letters, numbers and colors
- Enjoy songs, stories, and experimental projects
Arithmetic Concepts
- Putting things in order, sorting and sequencing
- Matching and classifying shapes and sizes
- Creating and noticing patterns
- Comparing, recognizing and counting numbers
- Building and developing spatial concepts
- Describing and extending rhythmic, verbal and visual patterns
Science
- Exploring and experimenting with sensory materials
- Observing animals, objects and environment
- Discovering sound, tastes and smell
- Playing with sand, water, rice and corn meal
- Taking things apart
- Growing flowers and vegetables
- Developing an awareness of the world
- Asking questions and fostering curiosity
Writing
- Develop left to right sweep movement
- Painting and pouring
- Using scissors
- Building with blocks and puzzles
- Drawing horizontal and vertical lines
- Scribbling to express ideas
- Pre-writing activities using clay, paint, crayons, letters, and shapes
Social Studies
- Develop self-esteem
- Learn social behaviors and an understanding of social mores
- Participate in conflict resolution skills
- Make choices
- Problem solve
- Embrace an appreciation for themselves and others
Outside Time
This is an unstructured time for children to socialize and to develop their large muscle skills by running, climbing, swinging and exploring our child-centered playground.
