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DEVELOPMENTAL

Goals

Pre-K Picasso

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Children in our Pre-K program explore these concepts. Our overall goal is Kindergarten-readiness, but we recognize that children learn these concepts at their own pace. Children are taught with hands-on materials, songs, and games. They are assessed by observation and work samples. 

 

Mathematics

  • Count ten or more objects and identify numerals

  • Name many colors

  • Understand the concept of time

  • Solve verbal mathematical problems

  • Understand use of mathematical tools (clock, ruler, scale)

  • Understand things used every day in the home (money, food, appliances)

  • Describe and compare measurable attributes

  • One-to-one correspondence of objects

  • Sorting by various attributes: color, shape, size

  • Patterns: AB, AABB, ABC

  • Sizes: small, medium, large

  • Shapes: square, rectangle, circle, triangle

  • Matching: symbols, shapes, patterns, etc.

  • Same and Different

  • More, Less, Same

  • Time: Day and Night

  • Money: Explore through games, songs, and pretend play

  • Estimating various theme related objects

 

Literacy

 

Emergent Reading

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  • Exposure to alphabet: letter names and sounds

  • Understand that letters make words

  • Print and identify letters

  • Begin to read short words

  • Group words with similar sounds

  • Recognize own written name and the written names of friends and family

  • Retell familiar stories

  • Answer questions about stories

  • Repeat simple nursery rhymes and fingerplays

  • Concepts of print: left to right direction, holding a book right-side-up

  • Build new vocabulary

  • Build listening skills

  • Strengthen visual discrimination

  • Sequencing

  • Understand that a book has a title, author and/or illustrator

 

Emergent Writing

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  • Use a variety of writing tools, materials, and surfaces to create drawings or symbols

  • Draw pictures and dictate sentences about stories and experiences

  • Write own name using letter-like forms or conventional print

  • Hold a pencil, marker, crayon correctly

  • Intentionally scribble or write to convey meaning

  • Organize letters from left to right, identify spaces between words and basic writing concepts

  • Begin pre-handwriting and writing skills

  • Write the alphabet and numerals so they are mostly legible

  • Develop fine motor skills: play dough, scissors, writing utensils, Legos, etc.

  • Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum

  

Science

  • Identify objects by their properties and characteristics

  • Recognize cause-and-effect relationships in everyday experiences

  • Understand how objects, seasons, weather and time develop in predictable patterns

  • Use purposeful tools for observing and investigating

  • Explore science tools: magnets, prisms, magnifying glasses, etc.

  • Experience the world through nature walks, gardening, and other explorations

  • Observe insect life

  • Observe plant growth

  • Measure and mix ingredients in cooking activities

  • Identify basic colors and explore color mixing

  • Make observational drawings and dictation

  • Explore the world with the five senses

  • Investigate animals, the homes they live in, the food they eat 

 

Creative Arts

  • Explore a variety of art processes: painting, drawing, sculpture, weaving, collage, etc.

  • Use a variety of art materials: crayons, tempera paint, watercolor paint, colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, art chalk, clay

  •  Experiment with mixing paint colors

  • Sing traditional songs and songs that enhance the curriculum

  • Participate in movement songs and dances

  • Use scarves, rhythm sticks, and bean bags to practice rhythms

  • Use a variety of children's instruments

  • Participate in dramatic play

  • Dramatize familiar stories

  • Act out the movements and sounds of animals

 

Social Skills

 

Behavioral

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  • Enjoy and pursue new experiences

  • Follow multi-step directions

  • Enjoy “grown-up” tasks, with assistance

  • Remember auditory and visual/modeled directions in order to complete tasks

  • Appreciate the concept of rules, will accept if told “it’s a rule”

  • Develop friendships and bonds with other children

  • Enjoy singing, dancing and acting

  • Show more independence in everyday activities

  • Distinguish fantasy from reality

 

Social and Emotional

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  • Practice problem-solving skills in social situations

  • Work in groups or with a partner on a variety of projects

  • Share classroom materials with the group

  • Practice using manners: please, thank you, excuse me, table manners

  • Take care of his/her own basic needs: clean up, fasten clothing, use tissue as needed, etc.

  • Explore types of work and workers

  • Explore modes of transportation

 

Communication

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  • Speak in sentences of more than five words with increased vocabulary

  • Use “big words”

  • Communicate his/her needs

  • Tell longer stories with rich details and enjoy explaining things

  • Use future tense and master more grammar

  • Recall part of a story

  • Say own name and address

  • Use writing, pictures, and play to express ideas

 

Jewish Traditions and Holidays

  • Introducing children to the joy of Jewish culture and traditions

  • Hebrew songs

 

Physical Development

 

Gross Motor Skills

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  • Control movement in a purposeful way

  • Stand on one foot for ten seconds or longer

  • Hop and do somersaults

  • Swing and climb on structures in the playground

  • Begin to learn how to skip

 

Fine Motor Skills

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  • Copy a triangle and other geometric patterns

  • Draw a person with a body

  • Print some letters

  • Button and unbutton without assistance

  • Pour liquid and mash and cut malleable materials

  • Use a fork, spoon, and (sometimes) a table knife

  • Care for own toilet needs

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