3 – 5 YEAR OLDS
Each day is a new adventure for children as they play at new centers, perform science experiments, bake/cook, create class murals, make picture books, resolve conflicts, perform plays, exercise in class-wide games/obstacle courses, problem solve, express through art and music, and contribute to class/small group conversations.
Concepts, experiences and language that children explore during free play is guided and developed through conversations, mini-lessons, circle time, books, experiments, field trips, and real life examples. Social skills and personal skills such as, turn-taking, asking for help, following 2-3 step directions, manners, etc., are taught, guided and practiced throughout the year to prepare children for kindergarten and to develop independence.
We strive to teach children about the love of God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, through play in an emergent-curriculum setting.
We believe that children learn through play. They learn about themselves, about others and about their world through exploration. Children’s confidence grows as they try new things and refine their abilities. This leads to a love of exploration and learning that is a lifelong skill for success.
Fostering friendship and positive social interactions are key components of all our programming. Special focus is given to working cooperatively and sharing with others. Skills such as taking turns, good manners, working in small groups enhances children’s learning socially.
Gross Motor – Programming will include opportunities for daily access to the gymnasium, indoor play equipment and outdoor activities which emphasize development of large muscles.
Fine Motor – Programming will include daily art centres and other centres that require fine finger coordination.
We provide pre-numeracy, pre-literacy, linguistic, observational and listening skills in a setting that is designed to stimulate all five senses. We offer encouragement to each child to explore through self-discovery at his or her own rate of maturity.
Our program offers discovery through experimentation. Children learn the basics of problem solving, visual arts, drama, use of imagination, exploration of the natural world and response through forms of expression.
We promote each child to be responsible to their peers by generating independence and self direction. Characteristics such as taking initiative, decision making, respect for others, accountability, expressing feelings and handling anger, frustration or disappointment are modeled and encouraged.
We expand a child’s understanding of the fact that God has created all things, and has created each individual uniquely. We help broaden each child’s mind with the understanding of who God is and what He has done for us.
“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child will read, write and count. Childhood is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace which is right for each individual child.”
~ Magda Gerber
60 Minutes
Creative Play
10 Minutes
Clean Up
10 Minutes
Circle Time: Reading
20 Minutes
Snack Time: Bathroom break, Eat Snack
30 Minutes
Outdoor or Gym Time: Play organized games as a class and participate in free play
15 Minutes
Circle Time: Music, Calendar, Weather and Show and Share
5 Minutes
Goodbye
We believe that we are made in God’s image. We teach about our bodies, our relationships, and our world believing that God created it all.
We include songs and prayers during our day (circle time, snack, etc.) that reference God and his world.
We celebrate Christian holidays through acting in a Nativity Play at Christmas, and focusing on the Jesus’s death and resurrection at Easter. Though we do not celebrate Halloween, we provide a costume day party in late October.
We explore the world around us through field trips in our community or inviting special visitors to our classroom. Any offsite field trips are within Lethbridge. We contract a certified bus driver and school bus to go to the field trip site. These locations teach about specific aspects of our world and we believe they have exciting age appropriate educational opportunities. These field trips are included in the program fees.
We ask that parents/guardians send two healthy snacks and a water bottle to preschool with your child. You may send a special snack on your child’s birthday. (Please be considerate of allergies).
“There was a closer preschool, but then I thought it’s Park Meadows Christian Playschool. You don’t say ‘no’ to that.”
“When I asked where to send my child for preschool, my friend said Park Meadows is the only choice. Don’t even look at another.”
“We looked at other preschools, and then we came here and thought ‘wow’. We love the spacious site, the teachers and the program.”
“I don’t bring my child here based on location or fees. I bring him here because it’s the best program for his needs.”
Every week children play with a variety of multi-sensory, open-ended centers. A few favourites are: train table, play house, climbing center, and paint. Seasonal favourites include: igloo, barn, and campsite.
Throughout the year students will have an opportunity to play at a huge variety of engaging play centers.
We love celebrating! One of the ways we do this is through inviting guests to our site or visiting fascinating places in our city. We also enjoy inviting our families to events to help us celebrate our learning.
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