Curriculum

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About the Teacher

“With My Own Two Hands” Preschool play program offers children age three to four, experiences for true and creative play. The program meets two days a week for two and half hours. The large space in which the class meets allows areas for both large and small motor development. Art, music, creative movement, story time, and free choice time all make up our daily activities.

Philosophy
· True and creative play, play that uses a child’s imagination, is a critical factor in all areas of child development- physical, social, cognitive, and emotional.
· Through true and creative play, children naturally learn about their world and how they fit into it, they become creative problem solvers, and learn to “think outside the box.”

Goals
· To create an environment that feels safe and secure.
· To “awaken” your child’s spirit and imagination.
· To show the children the natural beauty in the world and to appreciate it.
· To plant the foundation for developing early essential literacy skills.
· To allow the children many ”open ended” play experiences through art, music, and movement.
· To foster the children’s natural urge for independence.

A Typical Day during “M” Week

Arrival/ Free Choice Time
Children arrive and make choices where to play and learn during our free choice activity time. Choices include activities designed to encourage their creative thinking, improve small motor skills, develop math and science concepts, practice pre-reading and writing skills, and develop problem-solving skills. Examples for “M” week may include:
· Counting, weighing and sorting large and small Marsh mellows.
· Examples of types of Machines are introduced i.e., pulleys, lever, inclined plane
· The smell of Mint is introduced through mint scented play-dough.
· Tubes with Marbles are available to explore.

At the end of free choice time, children will learn responsibility as they help participate in cleaning and organizing their space.

Snack Time
· Children share snack time where social and conversational skills are emphasized.
· For “M” week, children assist in measuring and mixing the ingredients as we Mash potatoes to make Mashed potatoes.

Story Time/Group Time
· Children gather together as a group to enjoy an interactive story. Books and stories will be used to introduce and reinforce new learning and concepts. Children also develop listening and speaking skills, and use language to share ideas and personal experiences.
· For “M” week, the concept of “Manners” will be talked about. What are manners? Why are they important? When should we use good manners? Children brainstorm “manner” words together as we compile their words onto a giant group list.
· Read Goodnight Moon and Eric Carle’s Papa Please Get the Moon for Me.

Project for parents and child: Observe the moon at night with parents and draw the shape of the moon you see.

Art
· Through art children will be given experiences to express their own preferences
· All art experiences are “open-ended” and use “real” materials.
· Literacy skills are developed by looking at art and encouraging conversations about it.
· For “M” week: Children learn that Monet painted with short strokes and dabbles and splashes of pretty colors.
· Children are shown how to paint by dabbing and smooshing paint like Monet to create their own painting experience.
· For “M” week, children learn that Michelangelo painted while lying on his back. Children experience painting while lying on their backs and painting under a table (ceiling), just like Michelangelo did.

Music/Movement
· Children will be encouraged to make their own music and rhythms.
· Small-muscle movements are practiced through finger plays, hand motions, and rhythm instruments.
· Language skills will be developed while children communicate through rhythm and rhyme, make up lyrics, and match tunes and rhythms to words
· Movement and dancing is encouraged through the use of equipment such as, hoops, tunnels, riding toys, balls, scarves, ribbons, 
· For “M” week children will be introduced to different types of Music, such as, Mozart.
· For “M” week, Children use Maracas as we learn a new song.
· For “M” week, Talk about Moving and all the different ways we can move our bodies.
· For “M” week, children Make-Believe they are Monarch Butterflies and fly through the air with dancing scarves.