Program Overview
Our learning focused environment creates daily opportunities for our students to
develop and explore friendships and to extend their ever-growing social skills. Each
day, we teach Language Arts, Math, Social Studies/Science with hands-on activities,
which turns learning into play! Music is closely integrated with our curriculum and used
to seamlessly enhance learning experiences. Art, a favorite part of the day, is packed
with fun-filled activities that involve a great variety of materials. Open-ended
activities, which is a core part of our Art program, allow for creative expression and
growth on an individual basis. Spanish, Computer and Physical Education are also a key
part of our weekly lessons. We offer a varied attendance schedule in this class room
with choices ranging from two half-days to five full days. Please note that your child
must be three years-old by September 1st to be eligible for this class. We are proud
to have achieved and maintained Maryland State Department of Education Early
Childhood Accreditation since 2005!
|
Staff
Sonja Bolotin, Lead Teacher
I have been working for a Child's Garden for eight years. My oldest son attended A
Child's Garden and graduated from Wee Lad and Lassie in 2008. My youngest son is
currently a student at A Child's Garden. I immigrated from South Africa ten years
ago after graduating from teaching college with an Elementary Teaching Diploma. I am
currently seeking to become a citizen of the United States.
Gloria Starr, Assistant
I am a mother of two handsome sons and I have two beautiful granddaughters ages 7
and 8. I have worked with Mrs. Sonja for three years, and enjoy working with children.
I just completed a 123 hour certification in pre-school growth and development. I am
excited to implement my new knowledge and understanding of pre-school children in
the year to come.
Audra Sires, Assistant/Substitute
I live in Severn with my husband, son and daughter. I have a B.S. degree in Business
and an A.A. in Early Childhood Education with Honors.
|
Curriculum
Language Arts
The Three Year Old Language Arts program is integrated into every part of the day.
Students develop an appreciation for literature through stories, puppets, and
feltboards. Exposure to letters and sounds is taught through books and hands-on
activities.
Pre-writing activities are also a big part of the program. Students use tracing boards
and easels to practice the motions of straight and curved lines for beginning writing.
Playdough, hole punchers, and other materials are also used to strengthen muscles and
develop fine motor skills. The Language Arts program provides a child-centered,
interactive environment for students to nurture their love of reading.
Math
The Math program is taught through games and activities which expose students to
fundamental math concepts such as colors, shapes, sorting, and patterns. Number
recognition (0-5) is a focus of the program as well. Students learn to identify and
quantify numbers and focus on one-to-one correspondence through hands-on activities
which are a part of the daily program.
Social Studies
The main objective of the Three Year Old Social Studies program is to help students
gain a better understanding of self-concept and to build self-confidence through
positive interaction with others. The Second Step program is used to teach students
the importance of understanding their feelings and the feelings of others. Students
learn about fairness, conflict resolution, and good manners through a series of role
playing activities, puppet shows, and songs. Students also focus on family roles and the
make up of their community through the winter workshop in January. The classroom is
transformed into a restaurant, doctor office, and post office throughout the month as
students actively explore places in their community.
Science
The Science program is designed to give students ample opportunity to explore the
world around them. Students learn about seasonal changes, animals and their habits,
Earth Day, plants and seeds, and insects. They also focus on aspects of the body
including; body parts, functions of the body, the five senses, and nutrition.
Open-ended activities, exploration in the discovery table, and outdoor adventures are
used to stimulate learning and expand their curiosity.
Art
Students in the Three Year Old classroom enrich the skills they are learning in each
area of the curriculum through daily art experiences. In Art, students can explore
both open-ended projects in which they let their creativity flow and more structured
art projects which strengthen fine motor skills. Students practice following directions
and explore the use of a variety of art materials.
Music
Music is also integrated into every aspect of the curriculum on a daily basis. A
structured half hour music class is taught weekly for students to explore beat,
rhythm, and instruments, and to learn how to respond to music through movement.
Students learn fingerplays and listen to the words in songs to practice following
directions and listening skills. Music is used to enrich the curriculum through letter and
number recognition as well as songs about science and social studies concepts.
Physical Education
Physical education is gained through many opportunities for outside play on the large
playground which includes a bike track, swings, a climber, and a sandbox for fun and
creative play. Students take part in a weekly class called JumpBunch. JumpBunch is a
structured, year-round sports and fitness program geared for young children. The
program builds healthy bodies, self esteem and the love of sports and fitness .
Students learn the fundamentals of sports such as basketball, football, and lacrosse.
They also work on skills such as skipping, balancing, and running to increase coordination
and help develop large motor skills.
Technology Education
Students in the Three Year Old class explore technology through weekly computer
classes in the computer lab. They learn skills such as proper use of the mouse and how
to use a computer in the appropriate manner. The choice of games and activities is
pulled from themes in the rest of the curriculum so that computer class becomes an
integrated part of student learning. Computers are also used as a teaching tool for
various lessons and for students to watch interactive videos that coincide with units
being taught in the classroom
Spanish
The Spanish Program at A Child's Garden is filled with fun and exciting lessons that are
relevant to young children's lives. Spanish conversation classes are taught by the
Annapolis Language School. Topics covered include conversational age appropriate
speech, animals, weather, food, parts of the body, numbers and colors. Spanish is
taught in a natural manner, similar to the way children learn their first language.
Children are taught how to SPEAK Spanish, not how to MEMORIZE Spanish. Children
will experience songs, finger plays, games, movement, and dance.
|
|
