3 Year Old Program

Flexible Schedules with a minimum of 2 days per week to meet your families needs. Morning Sessions 8:30am-11:30am

In our 3-year old Program, we give the children an opportunity to “learn how to learn” by helping them discover answers through hands-on learning activities that stimulate their curiosity and creativity. Our curriculum activities foster a positive self-image in each child and facilitate their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. Developmentally appropriate themes and activities are chosen monthly and the curriculum is based around each theme. The children will experience learning through dramatic play, music, art, science, stories and much more. Each classroom is set up with learning centers to encourage children to engage in independent exploration and to use their imaginations.

Language and Literacy Development

Children at this early stage of development need a variety of enriching language experiences as they develop personal enthusiasm and love for literature. Teachers listen, pose questions, foster extended conversations and offer models for describing, initiating play, expressing feelings and sharing ideas. Children are encouraged to play with sounds and letters through listening to and reciting poetry and rhymes, clapping games and musical experiences. Journals offer an opportunity for children to dictate or create their own stories.

The Arts

As part of the daily classroom structure, children explore and experiment with a wide variety of paint materials, including easel, finger, watercolor, feather, string, etc. In addition, we offer many activities that challenge gross and fine motor development as well as hand-eye coordination (cutting, gluing, pasting). It is the process of creating that is most important, so process is emphasized, rather than the finished products. Musical experiences are incorporated into the daily life of the classroom with singing and movement games. Music readiness skills in rhythm are explored with a variety of instruments.

History/Science and Technology

Children are encouraged to identify ways they might be similar or dissimilar to others and to respect others’ point of views. Teachers support each child’s social development through modeling, encouraging connections, an d direct work on problem solving and conflict resolution. There are many opportunities for scientific observations and exploration to foster independent thinking skills (seasonal changes, five senses, weather calendar, etc.) as well as teacher-guided activities.

Math

Rice box, sand and water play are available on a regular basis with many tools available for mixing and measuring. Books, rhymes, games, songs an d dances all incorporate mathematical thinking, as can dramatic play. Each class cooks on a regular basis, taking opportunities to read recipes, count, and measure.

Health/Physical Development

Children are encouraged to participate in active play and to develop personal skills at their own pace. In addition to time for free-play, the program focuses on the development of basic movement skills. Fine motor development is supported through the diverse materials available in our classrooms daily, a variety of pegboards, lacing cards, large and small manipulatives are chosen with care so children have time to practice and have opportunities for appropriate challenges as they develop.

Children learn best through playful interactions in their environment, by providing an enriching classroom environment and making guidance available. Stimulating materials and motivating curricula ensure that the foundations for optimum development can be provided. Each interaction, conversation, and question posed offers engaging possibilities for learning. The program also provides an academic foundation that prepares children for later learning in the areas of literacy and math thus becoming a bridge to our Pre-school 4, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs.