Teaching Philosophy & Methods

We believe the Christian family is the framework for children to learn socialization and cognitive skills. Our goal is to continue this process by emphasizing the growth and development of the whole child. The Preschool has created its own, copywrited curriculum that focuses of five areas of development:

• Physical Development – focusing on fine and gross motor skills
• Emotional Development – building a positive self image
• Social Development – exhibiting respect for ourselves and others
• Intellectual Development – developing positive attitudes toward learning
• Spiritual Development – promoting the love of God

Along with our curriculum to guide teachers, we make sure teachers and classrooms are equipped with the tools needed to help children grow in these areas.

Teaching Methods

As children blossom into toddler and beyond, the scope of the program expands to provide age appropriate activities for every child. At the preschool, we believe that a child’s play is a child’s work. Toddlers learn how to develop a sense of self as well as how to share and relate with others playing with manipulative toys, hearing stories, role playing, listening to music, and enjoying playground time and sharing snacks.

Some of the many tools that provide the basic framework for both the Toddler as well as the Early Childhood Program are listed below.

• Manipulative toys chosen for age appropriateness, these toys build skills that help little fingers grow to accomplish more complicated tasks. These activities become more challenging at each age and include clay, play dough, puzzles, finger painting, sand, water play and more.
• Pretend is one of the ways children learn to socialize, respond appropriately to situations and find security in themselves. It is also an opportunity to let their imagination and creativity run free.
• Story time is where memory and imagination are nurtured and a child’s young world is broadened.
• Playground time includes tricycle paths, swings and climbing toys. These activities let children challenge their young bodies with a friend at their side.
• Music is magic to a child. Singing, moving and listening foster attention span, coordination and creativity.
• Media and story telling time is where some of the children visit the library to see and hear many of the best books and audiovisual resources available.
• Art activities give young hands a chance to be creative while making a colorful splash and having fun. Meanwhile, children are learning important fine motor skills needed later for writing and drawing.
• Weekly Chapel gives children time to grow spiritually by voicing their thanks to God. It is also a time to recognize birthdays reinforcing that each child is loved and belongs.
• Carpool, which begins at age three, helps develop a child’s independence while establishing a sense of security apart from parents.
• Snack time is a time to share nutritious food and to pause to thank God for his loving grace. Preschoolers also learn to be responsible and recognize other children in the class.
• Lunch Bunch is introduced at age four and is an eagerly awaited milestone by preschoolers. Here children can stay after school one or two days per week for two hours. It is a time for the children to learn further independence from parents in a safe environment.