Curriculum
Message from the director.....
Parents please take a moment to read about how I operate Before the Bell Preschool. My program is based on the most current research on early childhood development.
F.A.Q's:
Q's: "Are you all a preschool or a daycare?" "Do you all teach? What is your curriculum?" "I want my child to learn, not play all day because they can do that at home with their siblings, what will they learn while playing?" " I need them ready for kindergarten ,can you get them ready?" and "My child will be one, what is your curriculum for a one year old?"
A: Let's Play!
Educated, early childhood teachers know that play is an integral part of a young childs life and that being able to play, both alone and with others is a hallmark of children’s healthy development. In fact, we are taught this sole "method" in college, "children learn through play". So why are so many early childhood teachers, preschools, and daycare centers turning to a "curriculum based" structure? Because of pressure. Society has put an enormous burden on parents to succeed in a competative society and parents have passed those pressures on to their very young children. There's no question we want our children to be successful, but how do children develop tools for success? Part of early childhood education is about becoming "life-long learners". Learning should be fun and enlightening,for children this is achieved through playing.
At Before the Bell Preschool we fully encompass the scientific fact that "Children learn through play", through hands on experiences, through interacting within their environment and peers." If you choose to enroll your child here, they will engage in alot of structured, guided free-play and very minimal rigid, formal, class instruction.
Q: My child is 4, Do I need to put them in a preschool program?
A: No, the only difference is that it may save you money but they will not gain any new or additional skills . For North Carolina residence, Early Pre-K, Head Start, and montessori programs are alternative preschools or daycare sites for preschool children.Early Pre-k and Headstart are pre-K programs that are designed to prepare at-risk children for success in school.They offer quality childcare centers and a developmentally appropriate curriculum with a structured environment for students. What's the difference between Early Pre-k, Head Start, and other high quality daycare/preschool centers and home centers? The cost, Early Pre-K and Head Start are free. These programs are modeled with the same philosphy as any high quality daycare center or home, children learn through play,exploring and engaging.
There are centers that are academically based meaning they lean towards teaching children through lectures, memory drills, less play and more sitting still. Don't be misguided into believing that these programs are significantly different then high quality centers and home daycare programs. Do your research, investigate, there are many centers that throw the term, "academically based" "kindergarten readiness" and boast about "structured teaching" because it is what the consumer wants, but in fact their program may not differ much from a play based center.
Please keep this in mind when enrolling young children under age 5 in daycare......
On average children are in care for 10 hours, this is a very long day for your little one. The staff have to cook, feed, clean children, clean the rooms,(after each meal and throughout the day), monitor, interact with children, change diapers, potty train, talk with parents, tend to mildly sick children, mediate, console, have circle time, read, play, and do many other task that classify this program as a daycare center and not an elementary school class. We are caring for young children who still have many hands on, direct needs to be met. Our job is also to make sure they are safe, feel loved, welcomed, accepted, comfortable, and genuinely happy.
Please consider all of this when you are looking for a curriculum based preschool for your young child. In that case, we are very much a daycare center meeting the needs of very young children.
Q: Will my child do worksheets
A:
Based on each child it will be determined if they are developmentally ready for an introduction to worksheets and formal instruction. I will not force any child at any age to try to manipulate a pencil if they are not ready, there are specific stages hand muscles must achieve before mastering penmanship. I will however allow them to freely manipulate a variety of media to strengthen fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. I do not cater to sending home tons of worksheets to signify that your child is "learning" something while in my care. We do not drill teach or brain wash children to memorize letters, numbers, shapes, or colors. These concepts are introduced to children casually through play. I can assure you that they are learning something valuable each day while here.
Q: How are they learning through play?
A: Example: In the housekeeping center Mia is pretending to cook apples. She is also a waitress serving 3 of her friends. "I need three apples, one red, one yellow, and one green." she said. As she takes her customers orders she grabs a marker and a tablet. She writes down what her friends ordered. She also sets the table placing three forks, plates, and cups on the table.
Mia's Learning: Color recognition, counting, one-to-one correspondence, language, pre-writing practice, pre-math, social, and much more.
Q: Do we have a schedule?
A: Yes, we do follow a loose schedule so that the children will become familiar with a routine. I don't have a perfect balance of free-play and instruction time or a perfectly scheduled block of time for all children to sit and work on worksheets or listen to lectures. What I do know is how to spot that individual child that is showing signs that they are developmentally ready to be slowly introduced to the world of structured academics.
Q: Do we send home Daily Notes?
A: Periodically, parents will receive a note home to inform them of how their child is doing along with any news and reminders to replenish clothes and such. We will speak to you each day and during that time we will touch base on any highlights of your child's day. I do not require my teachers to fill out numerous notes and daily sheets each day when they can just as well verbally speak with parents about their childs day.
Q: How can I help?
A: Remember we are Partners in education
Parents make sure you are doing your part as we are a partner in your childs developmental journey. You are your childs first teacher.
Research articles on how children learn through play and daily experiences. Teaching children at home doesn't mean sitting down each evening doing grueling drill sessions with your 2 year old or making your 3 year old attempt to write the letter "A" 20 times. It simply means to make learning fun. Allow them to color, scribble with colored pencils, cut up magazines, make homemade Playdough, glue, make a collection of different textured items, and most importantly, read to your child daily.
Below I have found some really informative links on this subject matter that I believe are worth reading. I hope this answers any questions regarding my curriculum,now "Let's Play!"